THE  UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

LIBRARY 


THE  WILMER  COLLECTION 

OF  CIVIL  WAR  NOVELS 

PRESENTED  BY 

RICHARD  H.  WILMER,  JR. 


gflLMlLft  QOLU^i<^- 


The  Blue  and  the  Gray  Series 

TAKEN    BY  THE   ENEMY 

WITHIN   THE   ENEMY'S  LINES 

ON   THE   BLOCKADE 

STAND    BY  THE   UNION 

FIGHTING  FOR  THE  RIGHT 

A  VICTORIOUS  UNION. 

Lee  and  Shepard  Publishers  Boston 

Digitized  by  tine  Internet  Arciiive 

in  2010  witii  funding  from 

University  of  Nortii  Carolina  at  Chapel  Hill 


http://www.archive.org/details/victoriousunion01opti 


"Christy  leaped  upon   ihe  rail."     Page   iSi. 


OLIVER  OPT'^ 


The  Blue  and -the  Gray  Series 


A  VICTORIOUS  UNION 


OLIVER  OPTIC 


AUTHOR  OF  "THE  ARMY  AND   NAVV  SERIES         '  VOUNG  AMERICA  ABROAD,    FIRST 

AND   SECOND   SERIES"    "  THE    GREAT   WESTERN    SERIES"    "  THE  WOODVILLE 

stories"     "the   STARRY    FLAG   SERIES"    "  THE    BOAT-CLUB  STORIES  " 

"  THE  ONWARD  AND  UPWARD  SERIES  "  "  THE  YACHT-CLUB  SERIES  " 

"  THE  LAKE  SHORE  SERIES  "  "  THE  RIVERDALE  STORIES  "  "  THE 

BOAT-BUILDER  SERIES  ""  TAKEN  BY  THE  ENEMY  "  "  WITHIN 

THE   enemy's    lines"  "  ON  THE   BLOCKADE"  "  STAND 

BY    THE  UNION  "  "  FIGHTING  FOR  THE  RIGHT  "  "  A 

MISSING     million"      "a     MILLIONAIRE     AT 

sixteen"   "a    young    KNIGHT-ERRANT  " 

"strange    SIGHTS    ABROAD"    ETC. 


BOSTON 
LEE   AND    SHEPARD    PUBLISHERS 

lO      MILK      STREET 
1894 


Copyright,  1893,  by  Lee  and  Shepard 


All  Rights  Reserved 


A  Victorious  Union 


TTPE-SETTTNO  and  ELF.CTKOTTPrNQ  BY 
C.  J.  PETEBS  &  SON,  BOSTON 


S.  J.  PABKHILI.  &  Co.,  PBINTEBS,  B08TOK 


Ea  IHg  JTricnB 
FRANK    L.    HARRIS 

WHO  CAME  FROM   THE  COLD  OF  THE  ARCTIC  REGIONS,   WHERE  HE 
WAS  A  MEMBER  OF  THE   HAYES  EXPEDITION,  AND  WENT 
INTO  THE  HEAT  OF  THE    WAR  OF  THE    REBEL- 
LION,   SERVING    AS    A    NAVAL    OFFICER 
UNTIL  THE   END   OF  THE   STRIFE, 

TO  WHOM  I  AM   GREATLY  INDEBTED    FOR  MUCH  VALUABLE 
INFORMATION   RELATING  TO  HIS  PROFESSION, 

Efjts  33ooft 

IS  GRATEFULLY  DEDICATED. 


602674 


PREFACE 


"  A  Victorious  Union  "  is  the  sixth  and  last  of 
"The  Blue  and  the  Gray  Series."  While  the 
volume  is  not  intended  to  be  a  connected  histor- 
ical narrative  of  the  particular  period  of  tlie  War 
of  the  Rebellion  in  which  its  scenes  are  laid,  the 
incidents  accurately  conform  to  the  facts,  and 
especially  to  the  spirit,  of  the  eventful  years  in 
which  they  are  placed,  as  recorded  in  the  chroni- 
cles of  the  great  struggle,  and  as  they  exist  in  the 
memory  of  the  writer.  It  is  more  than  thirty  years 
since  the  war  began,  and  thousands  upon  thousands 
of  the  active  participants  in  the  strife  as  soldiers 
and  sailors,  including  nearly  all  the  great  comman- 
ders, have  passed  on  to  their  eternal  reward. 
Thousands  upon  thousands  of  men  and  women 
have  been  born  and  reached  their  maturity  since 
the  most  tremendous  war  of  modern  times  ended 
in  A  Victorious  Union.  Tlie  knowledge  of  the 
stirring  events  of  those  four  years  of  conflict,  and 

5 


b  PREFACE 

of  the  patriotic  spirit  which  inspired  and  under- 
laid them,  has  come,  or  will  come,  to  at  least  one- 
half  the  population  of  this  vast  nation  of  sixty-five 
millions  from  the  printed  page  or  through  the  lis- 
tening ear.  The  other  moiety,  more  or  less,  either 
as  children  or  adults,  lived  in  the  period  of  action, 
saw  the  gathering  battalions,  and  heard  or  read  the 
daily  reports  from  the  ensanguined  battle-fields. 

In  some  of  the  States  that  remained  loyal  to 
the  Union  throughout  the  long  struggle,  a  military 
parade  had  been  regarded  by  many  as  something 
very  much  in  the  nature  of  a  circus  disj^lay,  as 
"  fuss  and  feathers,"  such  as  tickled  the  vanity  of 
both  officer  and  private.  Military  organizations, 
except  in  our  small  regular  army,  were  disparaged 
and  ridiculed.  When  the  war  came,  the  Northern 
people  were  unprepared  for  it  to  a  very  great 
degree.  The  change  of  public  opinion  was  as 
sudden  as  the  mighty  event  was  precipitate.  Then 
the  soldier  became  the  most  prominent  and  hon- 
ored member  of  the  community,  and  existing  mili- 
tary bodies  became  the  nucleus  of  the  armies  that 
were  to  fight  the  battles  of  the  Republic. 

During  the  last  thirty  years  the  military  spirit 
has  been  kept  alive  as  a  constituent  element   of 


PREFACE  7 

patriotism  itself.  The  love  of  country  has  been 
diligently  fostered  and  nurtured  in  the  young, 
and  public  opinion  has  been  voiced  and  ener- 
gized in  the  statutes  of  many  States,  and  in 
the  educational  machinery  of  many  municipalities. 
Over  vast  numbers  of  schoolhouses  in  our  land 
floats  the  American  flag,  the  symbol  of  the  Union 
and  the  principles  that  underlie  it. 

The  flag,  the  banner  now  of  a  reunited  nation, 
means  something  more  than  the  sentiment  of 
loyalty  to  the  Union  as  the  home  of  freedom  ;  for 
it  implies  the  duty  of  defending  the  honor  of  that 
flag,  the  representative  idea  of  all  we  hold  dear  in 
Fatherland.  In  the  East  and  the  West  a  consider- 
able proportion  of  the  high  schools  make  military 
tactics  a  part  of  their  educational  course.  Com- 
panies, battalions,  and  regiments  of  young  men  in 
their  teens  parade  the  streets  of  some  of  our  cities, 
showing  in  what  manner  the  military  spirit  is  kept 
alive,  and,  at  the  same  time,  how  the  flag  floating 
over  our  educational  institutions,  which  means  so 
much  more  than  ever  before  to  our  people,  is  to  be 
defended  and  perpetuated  in  the  future. 

The  author  of  the  six  volumes  of  "  The  Blue 
and  the  Gray  Series,"  as  well  as  of  "The  Army 


8  PilEFACE 

and  Navy  Series,"  the  latter  begun  in  the  heat  of 
the  war  thirty  years  ago,  earnestly  believes  in  keep- 
ing active  in  the  minds  of  the  young  the  spirit  of 
patriotism.  In  the  present  volume,  as  in  those 
Avhich  have  preceded  it,  he  has  endeavored  to 
present  to  his  readers,  not  only  a  hero  who  is 
brave,  skilful,  and  ready  to  give  his  life  for  his 
country,  but  one  who  is  unselfishly  patriotic ;  one 
Avho  is  not  fighting  for  promotion  and  prize-money, 
but  to  save  the  Union  in  whose  integrity  and  ne- 
cessity he  believes  as  the  safeguard  and  substance 
of  American  liberty. 

Peace  has  reigned  in  our  land  for  nearly  thirty 
years,  and  the  asperities  of  a  relentless  war  have 
been  supplanted  by  better  and  more  brotherly 
relations  between  the  North  and  the  South.  The 
writer  would  not  print  a  word  that  would  disturb 
these  improving  conditions  ;  and  if  he  has  erred  at 
all  in  picturing  the  intercourse  between  Americans 
as  enemies,  he  has  made  sure  to  do  so  in  the  inter- 
ests of  justice  and  magnanimity  on  both  sides. 

In  the  series  of  which  this  volume  is  the  last, 
the  author  has  confined  his  narrative  of  adven- 
tures to  the  navy.  It  has  been  suggested  to  him 
that   another  series,  relating   exclusively  to  inci- 


PllEFACE  9 

dents  in  the  armj^,  should  follow.  After  forty 
years  of  labor  in  this  particular  field,  and  having 
already  exhausted  the  threescore  and  ten  of  human 
life,  he  cannot  be  assured  that  he  will  live  long- 
enough  to  complete  such  a  series,  though  still  in 
excellent  health  ;  but  he  intends  to  make  a  begin- 
ning of  the  work  as  soon  as  other  encrasfements 

will  permit. 

William  T.  Adams. 

DOKCUESTEK,   Maiicii  1G,  1893. 


U    ,    : 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER  I. 
The  Mission  to  Mobile  Point 

CHAPTER  II. 
The  Departure  of  the  Expedition   . 

CHAPTER  III. 
A  Bivouac  near  Fort  Morgan    . 

CHAPTER  IV. 

The  Revelations  of  the  Revellers 

CHAPTER  V. 
In  the  Vicinity  of  the  Confederate  Fort 

CHAPTER  VI. 
Captain  Sullendine  of  the  West  Wind. 

CHAPTER  VII. 
A  Powerful  Ally  of  the  Belleviters    . 

CHAPTER  VIII. 
On  Board  of  the  Cotton  Schooner  . 

CHAPTER  IX. 
The  Departure  of  the  Tallahatchie 

11 


15 


2G 


37 


48 


59 


70 


81 


92 


103 


12  CONTENTS 

PAGE 

CHAPTER  X. 
The  Casting  off  of  the  Towline      .        .        .        .114 

CHAPTER  XI. 
A  Happy  Return  to  the  Bellevite  ....     125 

CHAPTER  XII. 
A  Lively  Chase  to  the  South-West  ....     136 

CHAPTER  XIII. 
The  First  Shot  of  Blumenhoff 147 

CHAPTER  XIV. 
The  Progress  of  the  Action 158 

CHAPTER  XV. 
A  Flank  Movement  Undertaken       ....    1G9 

CHAPTER  XVI. 
The  Lieutenant's  Daring  Exploit    ...     ISO 

CHAPTER  XVIL 
A  Magnanimous  Enemy 191 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 
The  Reign  of  Christianity 202 

CHAPTER  XIX. 
Colonel  Homer  Passford  of  Glenfield  .        .        .213 

CHAPTER  XX. 
A  Very  Melancholy  Confederate   ....    224 

CHAPTER  XXI. 

Captain  Sullendine  Becomes  Violent     .        .        .     225 


CONTENTS 


13 


CHAPTER   XXII. 
The  Disposition  of  the  Two  Prizes  . 

CHAPTER  XXIII. 
The  Welcome  Home  at  Bonnydale  . 

CHAPTER   XXIV. 
Lieutenant-Commander  Christopher  Passford 

CHAPTER   XXV. 
The  Principal  Officers  of  the  St.  Regis 

CHAPTER   XXVI. 
The  St.  Regis  in  Commission        .... 


CHAPTER   XXVII. 
Captain  Passford  Alone  in  his  Glory 

CHAPTER   XXVIII. 
Off  the  Coast  of  North  Carolina    . 


240 


257 


268 


279 


290 


301 


312 


CHAPTER   XXIX. 
The  First  Prize  of  the  St.  Regis 

CHAPTER   XXX. 
Another  Sailing  Contest  Inaugurated 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 
A  Victorious  Union        .... 


323 


334 


345 


A  YIOTORIOUS  UNION 


CHAPTER   I 

THE  MISSION  TO  MOBILE  POINT 

"  I  ALMOST  wish  you  were  the  second  or  the  third 
lieutenant  of  the  Bellevite,  instead  of  tlie  executive 
officer,  Christy,"  said  Captain  Breaker,  the  com- 
mander of  the  steamer,  as  they  were  seated  together 
one  day  on  the  quarter-deck. 

"  Do  I  fail  in  the  discharge  of  my  duty  in  my 
present  position.  Captain  ?  "  asked  Christy,  very 
much  astonished,  not  to  say  startled,  at  the  remark 
of  the  commander. 

"Not  in  the  slightest  degree,  my  dear  hoy!" 
returned  Captain  Breaker  with  very  decided  em- 
phasis. "  You  have  served  in  your  present  capa- 
city for  four  months  ;  and  if  you  were  fifty  years 
old,  and  had  twenty  years  of  naval  experience  be- 
hind you,  it  would  be  hardly  possible  for  you  to 

15 


16  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

be  more  correct  and  dignified  in  the  performance 
of  the  details  of  your  office." 

"  I  thank  you,  Captain,  for  the  partial  view  you 
take  of  what  I  have  done,"  added  Christy,  taking 
off  his  cap  and  bowing  to  his  superior. 

"Well,  you  ought  to  be  a  good  officer  in  any 
situation,  my  dear  fellow,"  continued  the  comman- 
der. "  I  doubt  if  there  is  another  officer  in  the 
navy  who  has  enjoyed  the  advantages  you  have 
had  in  preparing  himself  for  the  duties  of  his  pro- 
fession. You  were  brought  up,  so  to  say,  on  board 
of  the  Bellevite.  You  were  a  good  scholar  in  the 
first  place.  Without  including  myself,  you  have 
had  excellent  teachers  in  every  departmoit  of 
science  and  philosophy,  among  whom  your  father 
was  one  of  the  wisest.  Poor  Dashington  was  one 
of  the  best  seamen  that  ever  trod  a  deck ;  and  he 
took  especial  delight  in  showing  you  how  to  make 
every,  knot  and  splice,  as  well  as  in  instructing 
you  in  the  higher  details  of  practical  seamanship. 
Blowitt  and  myself  assisted  him,  and  old  Boxie, 
who  gave  his  life  to  his  country,  was  more  than  a 
grandfather  to  you." 

"  I  have  certainly  been  very  grateful  to  you  and 
to  them  for  all  they  did  for  me,"   replied  Cliristy' 


THE   MISSION   TO   MOBILE   POINT  17 

with  a  sad  expression  on  his  handsome  face  as  the 
commander  recalled  the  three  shipmates  of  both  of 
them  who  slept  in  heroes'  graves. 

"  Perhaps  the  brilliant  genius  of  our  engine-room 
did  quite  as  much  for  you  as  any  other  person, 
though  not  many  years  your  senior." 

"  Paul  Vapoor  is  my  friend  and  crony  ;  and  if  he 
had  been  my  professor  in  a  college  he  could  have 
done  no  more  for  me.  I  assure  you,  Captain,  that 
I  keep  alive  my  gratitude  to  all  my  instructors, 
including  some  you  have  not  mentioned." 

"  I  was  only  explaining  why  you  are  what  you 
ought  to  be,  for  you  have  had  very  exceptional 
opportunities,  better  by  far  than  any  other  officer 
in  the  service.  But  it  is  altogether  to  your  credit 
that  you  have  used  those  opportunities  wisely  and 
well." 

"  I  should  have  been  a  blockhead  if  I  had  not." 

"  That  is  very  true  ;  but  the  mournful  wrecks  of 
wasted  opportunities  strew  the  tracks  of  many, 
many  young  men.  I  think  you  can  look  back  upon 
as  few  of  them  as  any  one  within  my  knowledge," 
said  the  commander,  bestowing  a  look  of  genuine 
affection  upon  his  chief  ofhcer.  "  More  than  once, 
even  before  we  entered  upon  this  terrible  war,  I 


18  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

have  told  your  father  how  happy  he  ought  to  be  in 
having  such  a  son  as  you  are." 

"  Come,  come,  Captain  Breaker,  you  are  praising 
me  !  "  exclaimed  Christy  impatiently. 

"  I  am  speaking  only  the  simple  truth,  and  I  have 
very  rarely  said  as  much  as  I  say  now.  It  was  when 
you  asked  me  if  you  had  failed  in  the  discharge  of 
the  duties  of  your  present  position  that  I  was  led 
into  this  line  of  remark ;  and  I  am  sure  you  will 
not  be  spoiled  by  honest  and  just  praise,"  replied 
the  captain. 

"  Then,  to  go  back  to  the  point  where  you  began, 
why  do  you  almost  wish  that  I  were  second  or  third 
lieutenant,  instead  of  executive  officer,  of  the  Belle- 
vite,  Captain  ?  "  continued  Christy,  rising  from  his 
seat,  and  fixing  an  earnest  gaze  upon  the  face  of  the 
commander,  for  he  was  very  sensitive,  and  he  could 
not  help  feeling  that  he  had  been  lacking  in  some- 
thing that  would  make  him  a  better  executive 
officer  than  he  was. 

"  Mr.  Ballard,  the  second  lieutenant,  and  Mr. 
Walbrook,  the  third,  are  gentlemen  of  the  highest 
grade,  and  excellent  officers;  but  they  are  both 
somewhat  wanting  in  dash  and  cool  impetuos- 
ity." 


THE   MISSION   TO   MOBILE   POINT  19 

" '  Cool  impetuosity '  is  very  good,  Captain," 
added  Christy  with  a  hiugh. 

"  But  that  is  precisely  what  I  mean,  my  boy,  and 
no  two  words  could  express  the  idea  any  better. 
You  cannot  carry  an  enemy  by  boarding  with  the 
same  precision  you  man  the  yards  on  a  ceremonious 
occasion,  or  as  a  regiment  of  soldiers  go  on  dress 
parade.  It  requires  vim,  dash,  spirit.  The  officers 
named  have  this  quality  in  a  very  considerable 
degree,  yet  not  enough  of  it.  But  what  they  lack 
more  is  ingenuity,  fertility  in  expedients,  and  the 
expansive  view  which  enables  them  to  take  advan- 
tage promptly  of  circumstances.  You  never  lose 
your  head,  Christy." 

"  I  never  knew  the  gentlemen  named  to  lose 
their  heads,  and  I  have  always  regarded  them  as 
model  officers,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant. 

"  And  so  they  are  :  you  are  quite  right,  my  dear 
boy ;  but  it  is  possible  for  them  to  be  all  you  say, 
and  yet,  like  the  young  man  of  great  possessions  in 
the  Scripture,  to  lack  one  thing.  I  should  not  dare 
to  exchange  my  second  and  third  lieutenants  for 
any  others  if  I  had  the  opportunity." 

"  I  confess  that  I  do  not  understand  you  yet. 
Captain." 


20  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

The  commander  rose  from  his  seat,  stretched 
himself,  and  then  looked  about  the  deck.  Taking 
his  camp-stool  in  his  hand  he  carried  it  over  to  the 
port  side  of  the  quarter-deck,  and  planted  it  close 
to  the  bulwarks.  The  second  lieutenant  was  the 
officer  of  the  deck,  and  was  pacing  the  planks  on 
the  starboard  side,  while  the  lookouts  in  the  fore- 
top  and  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle  were  attend- 
ing closely  to  their  duty,  doubtless  with  a  vision 
of  more  prize  money  floating  through  their 
brains. 

The  Bellevite,  with  the  fires  banked  in  the  fur- 
naces, was  at  anchor  off  the  entrance  to  Mobile  Bay, 
about  two  miles  east  of  Sand  Island  Lighthouse, 
and  the  same  distance  south  of  the  narrow  neck  of 
land  on  the  western  extremity  of  which  Fort  Morgan 
is  located.  Her  commander  had  chosen  this  position 
for  a  purpose  ;  for  several  weeks  before,  while  the 
Bellevite- was  absent  on  a  special  mission,  a  remark- 
ably fast  steamer  called  the  Trafalgar  had  run  the 
blockade  inward. 

Captain  Passford,  Senior,  through  his  agents  in 
England,  had  some  information  in  regard  to  this 
vessel,  which  he  had  sent  to  Captain  Breaker.  Un- 
like most  of  the  blockade-runners  built  for  this  par- 


THE   MISSION    TO   MOBILE   POINT  21 

ticular  service,  she  had  been  constructed  in  the 
most  substantial  manner  for  an  English  millionaire, 
who  had  insisted  that  she  should  be  built  as  strong 
as  the  best  of  steel  could  make  her,  for  he  intended 
to  make  a  voyage  around  the  world  in  her. 

Unfortunately  for  the  owner  of  the  Trafalgar, 
who  was  a  lineal  descendant  of  a  titled  commander 
in  that  great  naval  battle,  he  fell  from  his  horse  in 
a  fox  chase,  and  was  killed  before  the  steamer  was 
fully  completed.  His  heir  had  no  taste  for  the  sea, 
and  the  steamer  was  sold  at  a  price  far  beyond  her 
cost ;  and  the  purchaser  had  succeeded  in  getting 
her  into  Mobile  Bay  with  a  valuable  cargo.  She 
was  of  about  eight  hundred  tons  burden,  and  it  was 
said  that  she  could  steam  twenty  knots  an  hour. 
She  was  believed  to  be  the  equal  of  the  Alabama 
and  the  Shenandoah.  The  Bellevite  had  been 
especially  notified  not  to  allow  the  Trafalgar  to 
escape.  She  had  recently  had  her  bottom  cleaned, 
and  her  engine  put  in  perfect  order  for  the  service 
expected  of  her,  for  she  was  the  fastest  vessel  on  the 
blockade. 

When  CajDtain  Breaker  had  assured  himself  that 
he  was  out  of  hearing  of  the  officer  of  the  deck,  he 
invited  Christy  to  take  a  seat  at  his  side.    He  spoke 


22  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

in  a  low  tone,  and  was  especially  careful  that  no 
officer  should  hear  him. 

"  Perhaps  I  meddle  with  what  does  not  concern 
me,  Christy ;  but  I  cannot  help  having  ideas  of 
my  own,"  said  the  commander,  when  he  was  satis- 
fied that  no  one  but  the  executive  officer  could 
hear  him.  "There  is  Fort  Morgan,  with  Fort 
Gaines  three  miles  from  it  on  the  other  side  of  the 
channel.  Mobile  Point,  as  it  is  called  at  this  end 
of  the  neck,  extends  many  miles  to  the  eastward. 
It  is  less  than  two  miles  wide  where  it  is  broadest, 
and  not  over  a  quarter  of  a  mile  near  Pilot  Town.". 

"  I  have  studied  the  lay  of  the  land  very  care- 
fully, for  I  have  had  some  ideas  of  my  own,"  added 
Christy,  as  the  commander  paused. 

"  If  Fort  Mors^an  had  been  Fort  Sumter,  with 
bad  memories  clinging  to  it,  an  effort  would  have 
been  made  to  capture  it,  either  by  bombardment  by 
the  navy,  or  by  regular  approaches  on  the  part  of 
the  army,"  continued  Captain  Breaker.  •'  They 
are  still  pounding  away  at  Fort  Sumter,  because 
there  would  be  a  moral  in  its  capture  and  the 
reduction  of  Charleston,  for  the  war  began  there. 
Such  an  event  would  send  a  wave  of  rejoicing 
through  the  North,  though  it  would  be  of  less  real 


0 

THE   MISSION   TO   MOBILE   POINT  23 

consequence  than  the  opening  of  Mobile  Bay  and 
the  cleaning  out  of  the  city  of  Mobile.  Except 
Wilmington,  it  is  the  most  pestilent  resort  for 
blockade-runners  on  tlie  entire  coast." 

"  Then  you  think  Fort  Morgan  can  be  reduced 
from  the  land  side  ?  "  asked  Christy,  deeply  inter- 
ested in  the  conversation. 

"  I  have  little  doubt  of  it ;  and  while  I  believe 
Farragut  will  resort  to  his  favorite  plan  of  running 
by  the  forts  here,  as  he  has  done  by  those  of  the 
Mississippi,  the  army  will  be  planted  in  the  rear  of 
both  these  forts.  As  we  have  lain  here  for  months, 
I  have  studied  the  situation,  and  I  want  to  know 
something  more  about  the  land  on  the  east  of 
Mobile  Point." 

"  I  should  say  that  it  would  be  easy  enough  to 
obtain  all  the  information  you  desire  in  regard  to 
it,"  suggested  Christy.  ' 

"  There  is  an  unwritten  tradition  that  the  com- 
mander must  not  leave  his  ship  to  engage  in  any 
duty  of  an  active  character,  and  I  cannot  explore 
the  vicinity  of  the  fort  myself." 

"  But  you  have  plenty  of  officers  for  such  duty." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  there  are  pickets,  and  perhaps 
a  camp  beyond  the  rising  ground,  and  the  explora- 


24  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

tion  would  be  difficult  and  dangerous.  The  two 
officers  I  have  mentioned  before  lack  the  dash  and 
ingenuity  such  an  enterprise  requires  ;  and  a  blun- 
der might  involve  me  in  difficulty,  for  I  have  no 
orders  to  obtain  the  information  I  desire." 

"The  officers  named  are  prudent  men  within 
reasonable  limits." 

"  They  are  ;  but  I  would  give  up  my  idea  rather 
than  trust  either  of  them  with  this  duty,"  replied 
Captain  Breaker  very  decidedly.  "But  I  have  a 
further  and  nearer  object  in  this  exploration ;  in 
fact,  examining  the  ground  would  be  only  second- 
ary." 

"What  is  the  real  object.  Captain?"  asked  the 
first  lieutenant,  his  curiosity  fully  awakened. 

"  I  feel  that  it  will  be  necessary  to  use  extraor- 
dinary efforts  to  capture  the  Trafalgar,  for  no 
steamer  of  her  alleged  speed  has  ever  run  into  or 
out  of  Mobile  Bay.  After  I  informed  the  flag- 
officer  in  regard  to  her,  which  your  father's  infor- 
mation enabled  me  to  do,  the  Bellevite  was  es- 
pecially charged  with  the  duty  of  capturing  her, 
if  she  had  to  chase  her  all  over  the  world." 

"I  have  not  much  doubt  that  you  will  do  it. 
Captain." 


THE   MISSION    TO    MOBILE    POINT  25 

"  I  mean  to  do  so  if  possible.  Now  these  block- 
ade-runners usually  anchor  near  the  lower  fleet, 
or  under  the  guns  of  the  fort  in  five  fathoms  of 
water.  Sometimes  they  remain  there  two  or  three 
days,  waiting  for  a  favorable  opportunity  to  run 
out.  Perhaps  the  Trafalgar  is  there  now.  I  wish 
to  know  about  it." 

"  I  infer  that  you  consider  me  fitted  for  this 
duty,  Captain  Breaker,"  said  Christy  earnestly. 

"  For  that  reason  only  I  almost  wished  you  were 
second  or  third  lieutenant,  rather  than  first,"  re- 
plied the  commander  with  some  earnestness  in  his 
manner. 

There  was  no  unwritten  tradition  that  the  first 
lieutenant  should  not  be  sent  on  any  duty. 


26  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 


CHAPTER   II 

THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  EXPEDITION 

The  conversation  between  the  captain  and  the 
executive  officer  of  the  Bellevite  was  continued 
till  they  were  called  to  supper ;  but  a  decision  had 
been  reached.  On  important  occasions,  as  when 
several  boats  were  ordered  upon  an  expedition,  it 
was  not  unusual  to  send  the  first  lieutenant  in 
command.  Though  only  a  single  whaleboat  would 
be  required  for  the  enterprise  in  which  the  com- 
mander was  so  deeply  interested,  its  importance 
appeared  to  justify  the  selection  of  the  executive 
officer  to  conduct  it;  and  Christy  was  directed  to 
suit  himself. 

Of  course  the  expedition  was  to  be  sent  out  at 
night,  for  the  cover  of  the  darkness  was  necessary 
to  render  it  effectual.  In  the  afternoon  the  wind 
had  come  around  to  the  south-west,  and  already 
a  slight  fog  had  obscured  the  Sand  Island  Light- 
house. It  promised  to  be  such  a  night  as  a  block- 
ade-runner would  select  for  getting  to  sea. 


THE   DEPAP.TUEE   OF   THE   EXPEDITIOIST         27 

Christy  was  especially  warned  that  the  principal 
business  of  his  expedition  was  to  obtain  informa- 
tion in  regard  to  the  Trafalgar,  though  it  was 
probable  that  a  new  name  had  been  given  to  her 
for  the  service  in  which  she  was  to  be  engaged. 
The  examination  of  the  surroundings  of  the  fort, 
the  captain  strongly  impressed  upon  his  mind,  was 
entirely  subsidiary  to  the  discovery  of  the  intend- 
ing blockade-runner.  In  fact,  the  commander 
seemed  to  have  serious  doubts  as  to  whether  it 
was  proper  for  him  even  to  reconnoitre  without 
special  orders  for  the  use  of  the  army. 

It  was  several  months  that  Christy  had  been  on 
board  of  the  Bellevite  in  his  present  capacity,  and 
he  had  become  very  well  acquainted  with  all  the 
petty  officers  and  seamen  of  the  ship's  company, 
now  composed  of  one  hundred  and  twenty  men. 
After  he  had  finished  his  supper  he  walked  about 
the  spar-deck  to  refresh  his  memory  by  a  sight  at 
all  of  the  men,  and  selected  those  who  were  to 
take  part  in  his  enterprise. 

One  of  the  first  persons  he  encountered  in  his 
promenade  was  the  third  assistant  engineer,  Charles 
Graines,  whom  he  had  known  as  a  boy,  before  the 
war.     He  was  not  only  a  machinist,  but  a  sailor, 


28  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION" 

having  served  in  both  capacities,  though  now  only 
twenty-five  years  of  age.  Through  his  father 
Christy  had  procured  his  appointment  as  an  engi- 
neer, and  his  assignment  to  tlie  Belle vite.  The 
young  man  was  exceedingly  grateful  to  him  for 
this  service,  and  entirely  devoted  to  him. 

Paul  Vapoor,  the  chief  engineer,  spoke  of 
Graines  in  the  highest  terms,  not  only  in  his  offi- 
cial capacity,  but  as  a  high-toned,  patriotic,  and 
thoroughly  reliable  man.  The  moment  the  execu- 
tive officer  put  his  eye  on  the  assistant  engineer, 
he  decided  that  Graines  should  be  liis  right-hand 
man.  As  a  matter  of  precaution  the  proposed  ex- 
pedition was  to  be  a  profound  secret,  for  there 
were  white  men  and  negroes  about  the  deck  who 
had  been  picked  up  in  various  ways,  and  Avere 
retained  till  they  could  be  disposed  of.  They 
could  not  be  trusted,  and  doubtless  some  of  them 
were  Confederates  at  heart,  if  not  encrafred  in 
secret  missions. 

Christy  invited  Graines  to  the  ward  room  for 
a  conference.  There  were  several  officers  there, 
and  they  retired  to  the  stateroom  of  the  first  lieu- 
tenant, which  is  the  forward  one  on  the  starboard 
side.     The   plan,  as  it  had  been  matured  in  the 


THE   DEPARTURE   OF   THE   EXPEDITION         29 

mind  of  the  one  appointed  to  carry  it  out,  was 
fully  explained,  and  the  engineer  was  delighted  to 
be  chosen  to  take  part  in  its  execution.  The  selec- 
tion of  the  seamen  to  compose  the  expedition  was 
not  an  easy  matter,  though  every  sailor  on  board 
would  have  volunteered  for  such  duty  if  the 
opportunity  had  been  presented  to  him. 

Graines  was  not  so  familiar  with  the  merits  of 
the  seamen  as  he  was  with  those  of  the  men  in  the 
engineer  department.  It  became  necessary  for  the 
executive  officer  to  take  another  walk  on  the  spar- 
deck,  in  order  to  revive  his  recollection  of  the  men  ; 
and  he  soon  returned  to  the  stateroom  with  a 
complete  list  of  those  he  had  selected.  The  engi- 
neer suggested  an  oiler  by  the  name  of  Weeks  as 
a  most  excellent  man  ;  and  Christy  accepted  him, 
completing  the  number  from  those  of  his  own 
choice.  Seated  at  his  desk,  he  wrote  outthe  names 
of  the  ten  men  chosen. 

"  Of  course  if  we  should  be  caught  on  shore  in 
our  ordinary  uniforms  it  would  be  all  night  with 
us,"  said  Christy,  as  he  completed  the  writing  out 
of  the  list.  "  I  believe  you  have  never  seen  the 
inside  of  a  Confederate  prison,  Mr.  Graines." 

"Never;   though  I   came   pretty   near   it  once 


30  A   VICTOKIOUS   UNION 

while  I  was  an  oiler  on  board  of  the  Hatteras," 
replied  the  engineer. 

"  You  have  been  fortunate,  and  I  hope  you  will 
come  out  of  this  excursion  as  well.  I  spent  a 
short  time  in  a  Confederate  lock-up ;  but  I  did  not 
like  the  arrangements,  and  I  took  leave  of  it  one 
night.  It  was  in  Mobile,  and  I  don't  care  to  be 
sent  up  there  again.  Therefore  we  must  clothe 
ourselves  in  the  worst  garments  we  can  find ;  and 
I  carry  a  suit  for  just  this  purpose,  though  I  have 
not  had  occasion  to  use  it  lately." 

"  I  have  to  wear  old  clothes  when  at  work  on 
the  machinery,  and  I  have  a  plentiful  supply  on 
hand,"  added  Graines.  "  Perhaps  I  could  help  out 
some  of  the  others." 

"  All  the  seamen  have  old  clothes,  and  they  will 
need  no  assistance  in  arriinging  their  wardrobes. 
Now,  Mr.  Graines,  it  will  excite  remark  if  I  in- 
struct the  ten  men  we  have  selected,  and  I  must 
leave  that  part  of  the  work  to  you,"  continued 
Christy.  "  But  all  the  instruction  you  need  give 
them  is  in  regard  to  their  dress,  and  require  them 
to  be  at  the  main  chains  on  the  starboard  side  at 
ten  o'clock  to-night  precisely." 

"  As  I  have  plenty  of  time  I  will  take  the  men. 


THE  DEPART UKE   OF   THE   EXPEDITION         31 

one  at  a  time,  to  my  room  in  the  steerage,  and 
instruct  them,"  replied  the  engineer. 

"  You  can  tell  each  one  to  send  in  the  next  one 
wanted.  Above  all,  make  them  promise  not  to 
speak  to  any  person  whatever  in  regard  to  the 
expedition,"  said  the  executive  officer  as  his  com- 
panion retired. 

Mr.  Graines  lost  no  time  in  dischargfinnr  the 
important  duty  assigned  to  him.  Christy  reported 
to  the  commander,  as  soon  as  he  found  an  oj^por- 
tunity  to  speak  to  him  privately,  what  progress  he 
had  made  in  carrying  out  the  duty  assigned  to  him. 
Captain  Breaker  looked  over  the  list  of  the  men 
selected,  and  gave  it  his  hearty  approbation.  He 
was  a  man  of  elevated  moral  and  religious  charac- 
ter; he  had  always  exercised  a  sort  of  fatherly 
supervision  over  his  ship's  company,  and  he  was 
better  acquainted  with  those  under  his  command 
than  most  commanders. 

"  It  looks  as  though  it  was  going  to  be  a  good 
night  for  blockade-runners,  Mr.  Passford,"  said 
Captain  Breaker,  as  he  looked  over  to  windward 
and  saw  the  banks  of  fog,  not  yet  very  dense,  roll- 
ing up  from  the  open  gulf. 

"  It  is  not  known,  I  suppose,  whether  or  not  the 


32  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Trafalgar  has  come  down  from  Mobile  ?  "  inquired 
Christy. 

"  I  have  been  unable  to  obtain  any  definite  in- 
formation ;  but  a  negro  who  came  off  from  the 
shore  yesterday  assured  me  there  was  a  black 
steamer  at  anchor  between  the  Middle  Ground  and 
Mobile  Point.  That  is  all  the  information  I  have 
been  able  to  obtain,  though  I  have  examined  all 
who  came  on  board  during  the  last  week.  It  is 
certainly  time  for  the  Trafalgar  to  come  out,  as  the 
Confederates  are  in  great  haste  to  re-enforce  the 
Alabama,  the  Shenandoah,  and  other  cruisers ;  for 
these  vessels  have  made  a  tremendous  impression 
upon  our  mercantile  marine.  She  has  been  in  port 
long  enough  to  rebuild  her  already,  and  I  am  con- 
fident she  must  be  ready  for  service." 

"  If  I  don't  find  her  ready  to  come  out  to-night, 
v^ould  it  not  be  well  to  repeat  my  visit  to  the  shoie 
until  we  learn  something  about  her?"  asked 
Christy. 

"  That  is  my  purpose,"  replied  the  commander. 

"  I  should  like  to  have  the  scope  of  my  powers 
as  the  officer  of  this  expedition  a  little  more  def- 
initely defined.  Captain  Breaker,"  continued  the 
first  lieutenant. 


THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  EXPEDITION    33 

"  I  thought  I  had  fully  instructed  you,  Christy," 
answered  the  commander  with  a  smile. 

"  Am  I  to  confine  myself  solely  to  the  two  points 
assigned  to  me  ?  " 

"I  don't  understand  what  you  have  in  your 
mind,  my  boy." 

"  I  have  nothing  in  my  mind,  Captain.  I  have 
not  laid  out  any  plan  of  operations  outside  of  the 
instructions  you  have  given  me,  sir ;  and  I  do  not 
purpose  to  do  so.  If  I  had  the  intention  to  do  any- 
thing but  the  duty  assigned  to  me,  I  should  as- 
suredly inform  you  of  it,  and  obtain  your  orders." 

"I  know  you  would,  my  dear  boy." 

"  But  if  I  see  an  opportunity  to  do  anything  for 
the  benefit  of  my  country  "  — 

"  Such  as  the  capture  of  a  sloop  of  war,"  inter- 
posed the  commander  with  a  suggestive  laugh. 
"  When  you  were  sent  to  look  out  for  a  small 
steamer,  simply  to  obtain  information  in  regard  to 
her,  in  Pensacola  Bay,  you  went  on  your  mission, 
and  brought  out  the  Teaser,  which  afterwards  be- 
came the  Bronx,  and  rendered  very  valuable  ser- 
vice to  the  country  under  your  command." 

"I  could  not  very  well  help  doing  so  when  I 
saw  my  opportunity,"  replied  Christy,  in  an  apolo- 


34  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

getic  tone,  as  though  he  had  been  reproved  for 
exceeding  his  instructions. 

"  You  did  precisely  right,  Christy  ;  and  that  act 
did  more  to  make  the  deservedly  high  reputation 
you  have  won  than  almost  anything  else  you  have 
done,  unless  it  was  your  achievements  at  Cedar 
Keys,"  added  Captain  Breaker  heartily. 

"I  am  glad  you  have  brought  up  the  Teaser 
matter,  Captain,  for  it  just  illustrates  what  I  have 
in  my  mind.  If  I  see  an  opportunity  to  do  such  a 
thing  as  that  on  the  present  occasion,  I  simply 
wish  to  know  whether  or  not  I  am  to  confine  my 
operations  to  the  strict  letter  of  my  instructions. 
Of  course,  if  so  instructed,  I  shall  obey  my  orders 
to  the  letter." 

"'The  letter  killeth,  the  spirit  giveth  life,' my 
boy.  Your  mission  always  and  everywhere  is  to 
serve  your  country,  and  you  are  to  do  this  on  the 
present  occasion.  What  I  said  about  ingenuity  in 
speaking  of  ni}'-  officers  is  covered  in  this  case.  If 
you  can  capture  and  send  out  the  Trafalgar,  do  it 
by  all  means,  for  that  is  the  object  in  view  in  sending 
off  this  expedition.  Your  head  is  level,  Christy  ; 
and  that  is  the  reason  why  I  desired  you  to  com- 
mand this  enterprise  rather  than  either  of  the  other 


THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  EXPEDITION    35 

officers.  I  can  trust  you,  and  you  have  full  powers 
to  act  on  your  own  judgment." 

"I  thank  you  for  your  abundant  confidence, 
Captain  ;  and  I  shall  endeavor  not  to  abuse  it," 
replied  Christy.  "  But  it  is  not  even  remotely 
possible  that  I  shall  capture  the  Trafalgar;  yet 
sometimes  unexpected  opportunities  are  presented, 
and  the  letter  of  my  orders  might  prevent  me  from 
embracing  them.  I  am  very  glad  to  know  where 
I  stand." 

The  night  came  on,  and  with  it  more  fog  ;  but  it 
was  of  that  flitting  kind  which  settles  down  and 
then  blows  away.  It  seemed  to  come  in  banks 
that  were  continually  in  motion.  The  men  who 
were  to  go  to  the  shore  had  all  been  instructed, 
and  at  precisely  ten  o'clock  they  were  seated  in 
the  whaleboat,  with  Mr.  Graines  in  the  stern  sheets. 
They  were  all  armed  with  two  revolvers  apiece,  and 
there  was  a  cutlass  for  each  in  the  boat.  The  men 
had  not  only  changed  their  dress,  but  they  had  dis- 
guised themselves,  smooching  their  faces  with  coal 
dust,  and  tearing  their  garments  till  they  were  in 
tatters. 

Christy  Kad  dressed  himself  in  his  old  garments, 
but  added  to  them  a  gray  coat  he  had  obtained  on 


36  A  VICTORIOUS  UNION 

board  of  a  prize.  The  watch  on  deck  had  been 
ordered  to  the  forecastle,  so  that  they  need  not  too 
closely  observe  the  crew  of  the  whaleboat.  The 
chief  of  the  expedition  had  quietly  descended  to 
the  platform  of  the  after  gangway,  and  when  the 
boat  dropped  astern,  he  stepped  into  it,  selecting 
his  place  by  the  side  of  the  engineer,  who  had 
taken  the  tiller  lines.  The  boat  pulled  away  at 
once,  with  four  hands  at  the  oars,  and  Mr.  Graines 
headed  it  to  the  north-east  by  the  compass,  the 
side  lights  of  which  were  covered  so  that  they 
should  not  betray  the  approach  of  the  boat  to  the 
shore,  if  any  one  was  there. 

On  the  way  Christy  gave  the  men  full  instruc- 
tions in  regard  to  their  conduct ;  and  in  less  than 
an  hour  the  party  landed. 


A  BIVOCJAC   NEAR   FORT   MORGAN  37 


CHAPTER  III 

A  BIVOUAC   NEAR  FORT  MORGAN 

The  expedition  landed  about  two  miles  east  of 
Fort  Morgan.  The  sea  was  not  heavy,  as  it  some- 
times is  on  these  sand  islands,  and  the  debarkation 
was  effected  without  any  difficulty.  At  this  dis- 
tance from  the  defences  of  the  bay  not  a  person 
was  to  be  seen.  The  fog  banks  still  swept  over 
the  waters  of  the  gulf  as  during  the  latter  part  of 
the  afternoon,  and  if  any  number  of  persons  had  been 
near  the  shore,  they  could  hardly  have  been  seen. 

"  We  are  all  right  so  far,  Mr.  Graines,"  said 
Christy,  as  the  bowmen  hauled  up  the  boat  on  the 
beach. 

"  It  is  as  quiet  as  a  tomb  in  this  vicinity,"  re- 
plied the  engineer,  as  he  led  the  way  to  the  shore. 

"  Now,  my  men,  haul  the  boat  out  of  the  water. 
I  think  we  need  not  use  any  of  our  small  force  as 
boat-keepers,  for  we  can  hardly  spare  them  for 
this  purpose,  Mr.  Graines,"  Christy  proceeded  very 
promptly. 


38  A    VICTORIOUS    UNION 

"  It  does  not  look  as  though  the  boat,  or  any- 
thing else,  would  ever  be  molested  in  this  lonely 
locality,"  replied  Graines,  as  the  men  lifted  it  from 
the  water. 

"  Now  carry  it  back  about  half  a  cable  from  the 
shore,"  continued  the  principal  of  the  party.  "  If 
one  or  two  strollers  should  happen  this  way,  they 
would  not  be  able  to  put  it  into  the  water,  though 
four  men  can  carry  it  very  easily." 

The  whaleboat  was  borne  to  a  spot  indicated  by 
the  lieutenant,  and  left  as  it  had  been  taken  from 
the  surf.  Everything  in  it  was  arranged  in  order, 
so  that  it  could  be  hastily  put  into  the  water  if  cir- 
cumstance demanded  a  hurried  retreat  from  the 
scene  of  operations.  Near  the  spot  was  a  post  set 
up  in  the  sand,  which  might  have  been  one  of  the 
corners  of  a  shanty,  or  have  been  used  j^ears  before 
by  fishermen  drying  their  nets  or  other  gear. 

"  Do  you  see  that  post,  my  men  ?  "  asked  Christy, 
as  he  pointed  to  it,  not  twenty  feet  from  the  spot 
where  the  boat  had  been  deposited. 

"AjT-,  ay,  sir!"  the  seamen  responded,  in  low 
tones,  for  they  had  been  warned  not  to  speak  out 
loud. 

"  That  will  be  your  guide  in  finding  the  boat  if 


A   BIVOUAC   NEAR   FORT  MORGAN  39 

we  should  get  scattered,"  added  the  officer.  "  Now, 
do  you  see  the  two  stars  about  half  way  between 
the  horizon  and  the  zenith  ?  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir !"  answered  Weeks,  the  oiler.  "  The 
Band  of  Orion." 

"  Quite  riglit,  Weeks,"  added  Christy.  "  Fort 
Morgan  lies  about  west  of  us ;  anu  a  course  from 
there  in  the  direction  of  the  two  stars  will  bring 
you  to  the  coast  and  the  boat.  Every  man  must 
act  for  himself  to  some  extent,  and  you  are  ex- 
pected to  be  prudent,  and  use  your  own  judgment. 
It  will  not  be  safe  for  us  to  keep  together,  for  a 
dozen  men  seen  all  at  once  would  be  likely  to 
awaken  suspicion." 

"  If  there  is  not  a  crowd  of  men  over  by  the  fort, 
we  can  hardly  expect  to  avoid  coming  together," 
suggested  Weeks,  who  proved  to  be  a  very  intel- 
ligent man,  with  excellent  judgment. 

"  I  cannot  tell  whether  or  not  we  shall  find  any 
gathering  of  men  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort,"  re- 
plied Christy.  "  We  shall  be  obliged  to  govern 
'  ourselves  according  to  circumstances.  If  you  find 
any  number  of  people  over  there,  you  can  mingle 
with  them.  Some  of  you  are  very  good  scholars  ; 
but  if  any  of  you  are  disposed  to  indulge  in  fine 


40  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

talk,  don't  do  it.  Make  your  speech  correspond 
with  your  dress,  and  let  it  be  rough  and  rude,  for 
that  is  the  fashion  among  the  laboring  class  in  this 
region." 

"  I  suppose  sea-slang  will  not  be  out  of  order," 
said  Weeks. 

"  Not  at  all.  Simply  consider  that  you  are  sail- 
ors and  laborers,  and  do  not  forget  it,"  answered 
Christy  ;  and  he  was  confident  that  he  had  selected 
only  those  who  were  competent  to  conduct  them- 
selves as  the  occasion  might  require.  "  Now,  Mr. 
Graines,  tell  off  five  men  —  any  five." 

The  engineer  called  off  five  of  the  seamen,  whose 
names  he  had  learned  from  the  list  given  him  by 
his  superior  officer. 

"  Now  these  five  men  will  each  choose  his  partner, 
who  is  to  be  his  companion  while  we  are  on  shore, 
and  who  is  to  act  with  him,"  continued  Christy. 
"  I  do  not  know  yet  any  better  than  you  do  what 
you  are  to  do ;  but  if  you  are  called  upon  to  do 
any  difficult  or  dangerous  work,  remember  that 
you  are  American  seamen,  and  do  your  best  for 
your  country.  If  you  are  required  to  do  any  fight- 
ing, as  I  do  not  expect  you  will,  our  success  de- 
pends upon  your  strong  arms  and  your  ready  wills. 


A  BIVOUAC   NEAR   FORT   MORGAN  41 

You  will  do  your  whole  duty,  whatever  it  may  be, 
and  do  it  like  true  American  sailors." 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir !  "  came  in  a  unanimous  voice  from 
the  knot  of  men,  though  in  subdued  tones. 

"  Call  the  first  name  again,  Mr.  Graines,"  added 
Christy. 

"  Weeks,"  replied  the  engineer. 

"Select  your  man.  Weeks." 

"  Bingham,"  said  the  oiler. 

The  names  of  the  other  four  men  who  had  been 
selected  were  called  in  turn,  and  each  of  them  se- 
lected his  partner,  each  one  of  course  choosing  his 
best  friend,  if  he  had  not  already  been  appropriated. 

"  Now,  my  men,  Weeks  and  Bingham,  the  first 
couple,  to  be  called  simply  '  One '  when  wanted, 
and  they  will  answer  to  this  designation,  will  start 
first.  The  next  couple,  to  be  called  '  Two,'  will 
follow  them  ;  and  so  on,  the  other  pairs  coming  in 
order,"  continued  Christy,  designating  each  by 
name  and  number.  "  Two  will  start  in  ten  or  fif- 
teen minutes  after  One,  as  nearly  as  you  can  guess 
at  the  time,  for  it  is  too  dark  to  see  watches  if  you 
have  them." 

"  Are  we  to  choose  our  own  courses  ?  "  asked 
Weeks. 


42  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  No ;  I  was  coming  to  that  next.  Each  couple 
will  stroll  due  north  as  nearly  as  he  can  make  it 
out,  till  they  come  to  the  waters  of  Mobile  Bay. 
If  you  see  any  houses  or  tents,  avoid  them,  and  keep 
clear  of  any  collection  of  people  before  you  reach 
the  vicinity  of  the  fort.  The  bay  is  the  first  point 
you  are  to  reach ;  then  follow  the  shore  to  the  fort. 
If  you  meet  any  person,  talk  to  him  in  a  friendly 
way,  if  necessary,  and  be  as  good  Confederates  as 
any  in  this  region,  even  inside  of  Fort  Morgan." 

Weeks  and  Bingham  took  up  the  line  of  march 
in  the  direction  indicated,  and  soon  disappeared 
beyond  the  rising  ground  in  the  middle  of  the  neck 
of  land,  which  was  here  about  three-eighths  of  a 
mile  wide.  A  quarter  of  an  hour  later  Lane  and 
McGrady  followed  them.  While  they  were  wait- 
ing, each  of  the  pairs  gave  a  specimen  of  the  dialect 
they  intended  to  use.  McGrady  was  an  Irishman, 
educated  in  the  public  schools  of  the  North,  and 
his  language  was  as  good  as  that  of  any  ordinary 
American  ;  but  now  he  used  a  very  rich  brogue. 

Every  man  followed  his  own  fancy.  Lane  had 
lived  in  tlie  South,  and  "  mought "  and  "  f otch  " 
came  readily  to  his  aid.  The  Crackers  of  Florida, 
the  backwoodsmen  of  North  Carolina,   the  swag- 


A   BIVOUAC   NEAR   FORT   MORGAN  43 

gering  Kentuckian,  the  wild  Texan,  were  all  rep- 
resented ;  and  Christy  could  easily  have  believed 
he  had  a  company  of  comedians  under  his  command, 
instead  of  a  band  of  loyal  Northerners. 

The  executive  officer  and  the  engineer  had  de- 
cided before  this  time  to  keep  together ;  and,  as 
soon  as  they  had  seen  the  second  couple  depart, 
they  set  out  on  their  wandering  march  to  the  fort 
in  a  direction  different  from  that  of  the  others  of 
the  part3^  They  walked  directly  towards  the  fort, 
for  Christy  intended  to  make  his  examination  of 
the  ground  to  the  eastward  of  the  fortification, 
on  his  way  to  some  spot  where  he  could  ascertain 
what  vessels  were  at  anchor  between  the  point  and 
the  Middle  Ground.  He  discharged  this  duty 
very  faithfully  ;  and  before  he  reached  his  object- 
ive point  he  was  confident  he  could  draw  a  map 
of  the  region,  with  what  information  he  had 
obtained  before,  which  would  meet  the  require- 
ments of  Captain  Breaker. 

"  What's  that  ? "  demanded  Graines,  suddenly 
placing  his  hand  on  the  arm  of  his  companion,  and 
stopping  short,  as  they  were  approaching  the  crown 
of  the  elevation. 

A  fire  was  burning  on  the  ground  in  a  depression 


44  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

of  the  surface,  which  doubtless  concealed  its  light 
from  persons  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort,  if  there 
were  any  there.  Around  it  could  be  seen  four 
men,  as  the  two  officers  looked  over  the  crest  of 
the  hill,  who  appeared  to  be  engaged  in  eating  and 
drinking ;  and  they  were  doing  more  of  the  latter 
than  of  the  former,  for  the  bottle  passed  very  fre- 
quently from  one  to  another. 

"  It  looks  like  a  bivouac  on  the  part  of  those 
fellows,"  said  Christy  in  a  low  tone. 

"  But  who  and  what  are  they?  "  asked  Graines. 

"  They  may  be  deserters  from  Fort  Morgan, 
though  if  they  were  they  would  hardly  bivouac  so 
near  it,"  replied  Christy,  who  did  not  seem  to  his 
companion  to  be  at  all  disturbed  by  the  discovery 
of  the  men.  "They  are  more  likely  to  be  sailors 
from  some  intendine:  blockade-runner  at  anchor  off 
the  point,  who  have  come  on  shore  to  make  a  night 
of  it;  and  they  appear  to  have  made  considerable 
progress  in  the  debauch." 

"They  are  not  soldiers,  for  you  can  see  by  the 
light  of  the  fire  that  they  are  not  dressed  in  uni- 
form," added  the  engineer. 

"  This  is  the  third  year  of  the  war,  and  uniforms 
for  the  soldiers  are  not  particularly  abundant  in 
the  Confederacy." 


A  BIVOUAC   NEAR   FORT   MORGAN  45 

"  We  can't  see  the  waters  of  the  bay  till  we 
reach  the  top  of  the  knoll  yonder,  and  we  don't 
know  whether  there  are  any  vessels  at  anchor 
there  or  not.  But  we  can  easily  avoid  these  fel- 
lows by  keeping  behind  the  ridge  till  we  get  where 
they  cannot  see  us." 

"  I  don't  know  that  we  want  to  avoid  them,  for 
I  should  like  very  much  to  know  who  and  what 
they  are.  They  must  be  tipsy  to  a  greater  or  less 
degree  by  this  time,  for  they  do  twice  as  much 
drinking  as  eating,"  answered  Christy,  as  he  ad- 
vanced a  little  way  farther  up  the  hill.  "  They 
have  a  basket  of  food,  and  I  do  not  believe  they 
are  mere  tramps.  They  are  more  likely  to  be 
engaged  in  some  occupation  which  brought  them 
to  this  point,  and  I  think  we  had  better  fraternize 
with  them.  They  may  be  able  to  give  us  some 
valuable  information ;  and  it  looks  as  though  they 
were  drunk  enough  to  tell  all  they  know  without 
making  any  difficulty  about  it." 

"  Do  you  think  it  is  quite  prudent,  Mr.  Passford, 
to  approach  them  ?  "  asked  the  engineer. 

"  When  we  come  on  an  excursion  of  this  kind 
we  have  to  take  some  risk.  If  I  were  alone  I 
should  not  hesitate  to   join  them,  and  take    my 


46  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

chances,  for  they  must  know  something  about 
affairs  in  this  vicinity,"  replied  Christy  in  a  quiet 
tone,  so  that  his  answer  might  not  be  interpreted 
as  a  boast  or  a  reproach  to  his  companion. 

"  I  am  ready  to  follow  you,  Mr.  Passford,  wher- 
ever you  go,  and  to  depend  upon  your  judgment 
for  guidance,"  said  Graines  very  promptly.  "If  it 
comes  to  a  fight  with  those  fellows,  I  beg  you  to 
understand  that  I  will  do  my  full  share  of  it,  and 
obey  your  orders  to  the  letter." 

"  Of  course  I  have  no  doubt  whatever  in  regard 
to  your  courage  and  your  readiness  to  do  your 
whole  duty,  Mr.  Graines,"  added  Christy,  as  he 
led  the  way  to  the  summit  of  the  elevation.  "Now 
lay  aside  your  grammar  and  rhetoric,  and  we  must 
be  as  good  fellows  as  those  bivouackers  are  making 
themselves.  We  are  simply  sailors  who  have  just 
escaped  from  a  captured  blockade-runner." 

"  I  don't  see  anything  around  the  fire  that  looks 
like  muskets,"  said  the  engineer,  as  they  descended 
from  the  elevation. 

"  I  see  nothing  at  all  except  the  provision-basket 
and  the  bottles,"  replied  Christy. 

"But  they  may  be  armed  for  all  that." 

"  We  must  take  our  chances.     They  are  so  busy 


A   BIVOUAC   NEAR   FORT   MORGAN  47 

eating  and  diinking  that  they  have  not  seen  us 
yet.  Perhaps  we  had  better  be  a  little  hilarious," 
continued  the  lieutenant,  as  he  began  to  sing, 
"  We  won't  go  home  till  morning,"  in  which  he 
was  joined  by  his  companion  as  vigorously  as  the 
circumstances  would  permit. 

Singing  as  they  went,  and  with  a  rolling  gait, 
they  approached  the  revellers. 


48  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 


CHAPTER  IV 

THE  REVELATIONS  OF  THE  EEVELLERS 

"  'We  won't  go  home  till  morning,'  "  sang  the 
two  counterfeit  revellers,  as  they  approached  the 
fire  of  the  bivouackers. 

The  four  carousers  sprang  to  their  feet  when 
the  first  strain  reached  their  ears.  They  were  not 
as  intoxicated  as  they  might  have  been,  for  they 
were  able  to  stand  with  considerable  firmness  on 
their  feet,  after  the  frequency  with  which  the 
bottle  had  been  passed  among  them.  They  did 
not  do  what  soldiers  would  naturally  have  done  at 
such  an  interruption,  grasp  their  muskets,  and  it 
was  probable  they  had  no  muskets  to  grasp. 

"  '  We  won't  go  home  till  morning,  till  daylight 
doth  appear,'  "  continued  the  two  officers,  without 
halting  in  their  march  towards  the  revellers. 

No  weapons  of  any  kind  were  exhibited ;  but 
the  tipplers  stood  as  though  transfixed  with  aston- 
ishment or  alarm  where  the}^  had  risen,  but  were 
rather  limp  in  their  attitude.     They  evidently  did 


■The   two   Cor.NTERFEIT    KE\'EIJ,EKS.'"      Page   48. 


THE  KEVELATIONS  OF  THE  REVELLERS    49 

not  know  what  to  make  of  the  interruption,  and 
they  appeared  to  be  waiting  for  further  develop- 
ments on  the  part  of  the  intruders. 

"  It  isn't  mornin'  yit,  but  we  just  emptied  our 
bottle,"  said  Christy,  with  a  swaggering  and 
slightly  reeling  movement,  and  suiting  his  sjDeech 
to  the  occasion.     "  How  are  ye,  shipmates  ?  " 

"  Up  to  G,  jolly  tars,"  replied  one  of  the  men, 
with  a  broad  grin  on  his  face.  "  We  done  got 
two  full  bottles  left,  at  your  sarvice." 

"  Much  obleeged,"  returned  the  lieutenant,  as 
he  took  the  bottle  the  reveller  passed  to  him. 
"  Here's  success  to  us  all  in  a  heap,  and  success 
to  our  side  in  the  battle  that's  go'n'  on." 

"  I'm  with  you  up  to  the  armpits,"  added  Graines, 
as  another  of  the  four  handed  him  a  bottle. 

One  sniff  at  the  neck  of  the  bottle  was  enough 
to  satisfy  Christy,  who  was  a  practical  temperance 
man  of  the  very  strictest  kind,  and  he  had  never 
drank  a  glass  of  anything  intoxicating  in  all  his 
life.  The  bottle  contained  "  apple-jack,"  or  apple- 
brandy, the  vilest  fluid  that  ever  passed  a  tippler's 
gullet.  He  felt  obliged  to  keep  up  his  character, 
taken  for  the  occasion,  and  he  retained  the  mouth 
of  the  bottle  at  his  lips  long  enough  to  answer  the 


60  VICTORIOUS    UNION 

requirement  of  the  moment;  but  he  did  not  open 
them,  or  permit  a  drop  of  the  nauseous  and  fiery 
liquor  to  pollute  his  tongue.  It  was  necessary  for 
him  to  consider  that  he  was  struggling  for  the 
salvation  of  his  beloved  country  to  enable  him 
even  to  go  through  the  form  of  "  taking  a 
drink." 

Graines  was  less  scrupulous  on  the  question  of 
temperance,  and  he  took  a  swallow  of  the  apple- 
jack ;  but  that  was  enough  for  him,  for  he  had 
never  tasted  anything  outside  of  the  medicine- 
chest  which  was  half  as  noxious.  If  he  had  been 
compelled  to  keep  up  the  drinking,  he  would  have 
realized  that  his  punishment  was  more  than  he 
could  bear.  Fortunately  the  tipj)lers  had  no  tum- 
blers, so  that  the  guests  were  not  compelled  to 
pour  out  the  fluid  and  drink  it  off.  All  drank 
directly  from  the  bottles,  so  that  the  two  officers 
could  easily  conceal  in  the  semi-darkness  the  ex- 
tent of  their  indulgence. 

"  Who  be  you,  strangers  ?  "  asked  the  man  who 
had  acted  thus  far  as  spokesman  of  the  party. 

"My  name  is  Tom  Bulger,  born  and  brought 
up  in  the  island  of  Great  Abaco,  and  this  feller 
is  my  friend  and  shipmate,  Sam  Riley,"  replied 


THE  REVELATIONS  OF  THE  REVELLERS   51 

Christy,  twisting  and  torturing  Lis  speech  as  much 
as  was  necessary.     "  Now  who  be  you  fellers  ?  " 

"  Born  and  fotched  up  in  Mobile  :  my  name  is 
Bird  Riley  ;  and  I  reckon  t'other  feller  is  a  first 
cousin  of  mine,  for  he's  got  the  same  name,  and 
he's  almost  as  handsome  as  I  am.  Where  was  you 
born,  Sam  ?  " 

"About  ten  miles  up  the  Alabama,  where  my 
father  was  the  overseer  on  a  plantation  before  the 
war,"  replied  Graines  as  promptly  as  though  he 
had  been  telling  the  truth. 

"  Then  you  must  be  one  of  my  cousins,  for  I 
done  got  about  two  hundred  and  fifty  on  'em  in 
the  State  of  Alabammy.     Give  us  your  fin,  Sam." 

Bird  Riley  and  Sam  shook  hands  in  due  and 
proper  form,  and  the  relationship  appeared  to  be 
fully  established.  The  names  of  the  three  other 
revellers  were  given,  but  the  spokesman  was  dis- 
posed to  do  all  the  talking,  though  he  occasionally 
appealed  to  his  companions  to  approve  of  what  he 
said.  It  was  evident  that  he  was  the  leading 
spirit  of  the  party,  and  that  he  controlled  them. 
He  was  rather  a  bright  fellow,  while  the  others 
wei'e  somewhat  heavy  and  stupid  in  their  under- 
standing.    The  bottles  were  again  handed  to  the 


52  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

guests,  both  of  whom  went  through  the  form  of 
drinking  without  taking  a  drop  of  the  vile  stuff. 

"  What  be  you  uns  doin'  here  ?  "  asked  Bird 
Riley,  after  the  ceremony  with  the  l)ottle  had  been 
finished. 

"  We  was  both  tooken  in  a  schooner  that  was 
gwine  to  run  the  blockade,"  answered  Christy. 
"  We  was  comin'  out'n  Pass  Christian,  and  was 
picked  up  off  Chand'leer  [Chandeleur]  Island,  and 
fotched  over  hyer.  We  didn't  feel  too  much  to 
hum  after  we  lost  our  wages,  and  we  done  took  a 
whaleboat  and  came  ashore  here,  with  only  one 
bottle  of  whiskey  atween  us.  That's  all  there  is 
on't.     Now,  how  comes  you  uns  hyer?  " 

"I'm  the  mate  of  the  topsail  schooner  West 
Wind,  and  t'others  is  the  crew ;  all  but  two  we 
done  left  on  board  with  the  cap'n,"  replied  Bird, 
apparently  with  abundant  confidence  in  his  newly 
found  friends. 

"  You  left  her  ?  "  asked  Christy. 

"  That's  just  what  we  done  do." 

"Where  is  the  West  Wind  now?"  inquired 
Christy,  deeply  interested  in  the  subject  at  this 
point. 

"  She  done  come  down  from  Mobile  three  days 


THE    llEVELATIONS    OF    THE    REVELLEr.S        53 

ago,  and  done  waited  for  a  chance  to  run  the 
blockade.  Her  hole  is  full  o'  cotton,  and  she  done 
got  a  deck-load  too,"  answered  Bird  Riley  without 
any  hesitation. 

"Where  does  the  West  Wind  keep  herself  now, 
Bird?" 

"  Just  inside  the  p'int,  astern  of  the  Trafla- 
dagar." 

"The  Trafladagar?"  repeated  Christy. 

"That's  her  name,  or  sunthin  like  it.  I  never 
see  it  writ  out." 

"She's  a  schooner,  I  reckon,"  continued  Christy, 
concealing  what  knowledge  he  possessed  in  regard 
to  the  vessel. 

"She  ain't  no  schooner,  you  bet;  she's  jest  the 
finist  steamer  that  ever  runned  inter  Mobile,  and 
they've  turned  her  into  a  cruiser,"  Bird  Riley 
explained. 

"How  big  is  she?  " 

"  I  heerd  some  un  say  she  was  about  eight 
hun'ed  tons ;  an'  I'll  bet  shell  pick  up  every 
Yankee  craft  that  she  gits  a  sight  on." 

"  And  you  say  the  Trafladagar  is  at  anchor  off 
the  p'int?"  added  Christy,  not  daring  to  call  the 
steamer  by  her  true  name. 


54  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  That's  jest  where  she  is ;  and  the  West  Wind 
is  hitched  to  her,  like  a  tandem  team,"  replied 
Bird  Riley.  "  Look  yere,  Tom  Bulger,  you  don't 
make  love  to  that  bottle  as  though  you  meant 
business.  Take  another  drink,  and  show  you  done 
got  some  manhood  in  yer." 

The  bottle  went  the  rounds  again,  and  the 
guests  apparently  took  long  pulls ;  but  really  they 
did  not  taste  a  drop  of  the  infernal  liquid. 

"  That's  good  pizen,  Bird  Riley ;  but  it  is  not 
jest  the  stingo  that  I  like  best,"  said  Christy,  as  he 
wiped  his  mouth  with  his  sleeve  in  proper  form, 
for  he  did  not  like  the  smell  of  the  fluid  ligfhtnino- 
that  clung  to  his  lips. 

"Whiskey  suits  me  most;  but  they  waste  the 
corn  makin'  bread  on't,  and  there  ain't  much  on't 
left  to  make  the  staff  of  life.  Howsomever,  we 
don't  choke  to  death  on  apple-jack,  when  we  can 
get  enough  on't,"  argued  Bird  Riley. 

"  Jest  now  you  got  a  tandem  team  hitched  up 
out  on  the  Trafladagar  and  the  West  Wind,"  con- 
tinued Christy  cautiously,  and  with  apparent  in- 
difference, drawing  the  mate  of  the  schooner  back 
to  the  matter  in  which  he  was  the  most  deeply 
interested.     "  What's    this    team   hitched  up  that 


THE  KEVELATIONS  OF  THE  REVELLERS   55 

way  for?  Is  the  steamer  go'ii'  to  tow  the  schooner 
up  to  Mobile?" 

"  I  reckon  you're  a  little  more'n  half  drunk, 
Tom  Bulger,"  replied  Bird  Riley,  with  a  vigorous 
horse  laugh.  "  Tow  the  schooner  up  to  Mobile ! 
Didn't  I  tell  yer  the  Trafladagar's  been  waiting 
here  three  days  for  a  good  chance  to  run  out?" 

"  You  said  that  as  true  as  you  was  born," 
added  Graines,  who  thought  it  necessary  to  say 
something,  for  he  had  been  nearly  silent  from 
the  beginning. 

"  Sam  Riley  ain't  quite  so  drunk  as  you  be,  Tom 
Bulger;  an'  he  knows  what's  what ;  and  thar  he 
shows  the  Riley  blood  in  his  carcass,"  chuckled 
the  mate. 

"  And  you  said  the  West  Wind  was  loaded  with 
cotton,  in  the  hole  and  on  deck,"  added  Graines, 
hoping  to  hurry  the  conference  along  a  little  more 
rapidly. 

"  That's  jest  Avhat  I  said.  I  reckon  you  ain't 
much  used  to  apple-jack,  fur  it  fusticates  your  in- 
telleck,  and  makes  yer  forget  how  old  y'are.  Come, 
take  another,  jest  to  set  your  head  up  right,"  said 
Bird,  passing  the  bottle  to  Christy,  who  was  doing 
his  best  to  keep  up  the  illusion  by  talking  very 


66  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

thick,  and  swaying  his  body  about  like  a  drunken 
man. 

Both  the  guests  went  through  the  ceremony  of 
imbibing,  which  was  only  a  ceremony  to  them. 
The  fire  had  exhausted  its  supply  of  fuel,  and  it 
was  fortunate  that  the  darkness  prevented  the 
revellers  from  measuring  the  quantity  left  in  the 
bottles  as  they  were  returned  to  the  owners,  or 
they  might  have  seen  that  the  strangers  were  not 
doing  their  share  in  consuming  the  poison. 

"  Sam  Riley  does  honor  to  the  blood  as  runs  in 
his  body,  for  he  ain't  no  more  drunk'n  I  am;  an' 
he  knows  what  we  been  talkin'  about,"  said  the 
mate,  who  seemed  to  be  greatly  amused  at  the  sup- 
posed effect  of  the  liquor  upon  Christy.  "You 
won't  know  nothin'  about  the  Trafladagar  or  the 
West  Wind  in  half  an  hour  from  now,  Tom 
Bulger.  I  reckon  it  don't  make  no  difference  to 
you  about  the  tandem  team,  and  to-morrer  mornin' 
you  won't  know  how  the  team's  hitched  up." 

"I  don't  think  I  will,"  replied  Christy  boozily, 
as  he  rolled  over  on  the  sand,  and  then  struggled 
for  some  time  to  resume  his  upright  position,  to 
the  great  amusement  of  Bird  Riley  and  his  com- 
panions.    "  But  Sam  Riley's  got  blood  in  him,  the 


THE  REVELATIONS  OF  THE  REVELLERS   57 

best  blood  in  Alabammy,  and  he  kin  tell  you  all 
about  it  if  yer  want  ter  know.  He  kin  stan'  up 
agin  a  whole  bottle  o'  apple-jack." 

"I  say,  Cousin  Bird,  what's  this  tandem  team 
hitched  up  fer?"  asked  Graines,  permitting  his 
superior  officer  to  carry  out  the  illusion  upon 
which  he  had  entered,  in  order  more  effectually 
to  blind  the  mate,  and  induce  him  to  talk  with 
entire  freedom. 

"  I  reckon  you  ain't  too  drunk  to  un'erstan' 
what  I  say,  Sam,  as  t'other  feller  is." 

"  I'm  jest  drunk  enough  to  un'erstan'  yer.  Cousin 
Bird ;  but  I  cal'late  I  won't  know  much  about  it  by 
to-morrer  mornin',"  added  Graines. 

"  Let's  take  another  round,  Sam ;  but  I  reckon 
Tom  Bulger's  got  more'n  he  can  kerry  now,"  con- 
tinued the  mate. 

Bird  took  a  long  draught  from  the  bottle,  and 
then  passed  it  to  his  guest.  Three  of  the  four 
revellers  had  already  toppled  over  at  full  length 
on  the  ground ;  and  Christy  thought  he  could 
hurry  matters  by  doing  the  same  thing,  and  he 
tumbled  over  all  in  a  heap.  Graines  drank  noth- 
ing himself,  though  he  contrived  to  spill  a  quantity 
of   the  fluid  on  the  ground,  so  that  it  might  not 


58  A   VICTOEIOUS    UNION 

seem  too  liglit  to  his  only  remaining  wakeful  com- 
panion. The  last  dram  of  Bird  had  been  a  very 
heavy  one,  and  the  engineer  realized  that  he  could 
not  hold  out  much  longer. 

"What's  that  tandem  team  fer?"  asked  Graines, 
in  the  thickest  of  tones,  while  he  swayed  back  and 
forth  as  Bird  was  doing  by  this  time. 

"  The  Trafiadagar's  gwine  to  tow  the  West  Wind 
out;  and  both  on  'em's  sure  to  be  tooken,"  stam- 
mered the  mate.  "We  uns  don't  bleeve  in't,  and 
so  we  runned  away,  and  left  Captain  SuUendine  to 
paddle  his  own  punt.  They  get  off  at  three  in  the 
mornin'." 

Bird  Riley  took  another  drink,  and  then  he 
toppled  over. 


VICINITY   OF   THE  CONFEDERATE   FOIIT 


CHAPTER   V 

IN   THE   VICINITY   OF   THE   CONFEDERATE   FORT 

It  was  a  favorable  night  for  running  tlie  block- 
ade, for  the  fog  had  settled  down  more  densely 
upon  the  region  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ship  chan- 
nel, though  it  occasionally  lifted,  and  permitted 
those  on  board  of  the  Bellevite  to  see  the  tall  tower 
of  the  Sand  Island  Lighthouse,  which  had  not  been 
illuminated  for  three  years.  The  mists  were  gen- 
erally thicker  and  remained  longer  towards  daylight 
than  at  any  other  time,  and  this  was  the  evident 
reason  why  three  o'clock  in  the  morning  had  been 
fixed  upon  for  the  departure  of  the  Trafalgar  and 
the  West  Wind  in  tow. 

The  engineer's  head  was  as  clear  as  it  had  ever 
been,  notwithstanding  the  tipsy  swaying  and  doub- 
ling-up  of  his  body  which  he  simulated,  and  he  re- 
alized that  his  companion  and  himself  had  obtained 
very  important  revelations  from  the  revellers.  The 
hour  at  which  the  steamer  was  to  leave,  evidently 
by  arrangement  with  the  officers  of  the  fort,  was 


60  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

valuable  knowledge,  and  lie  hoped  they  would  be 
able  to  carry  or  send  seasonable  warning  of  the 
time  to  the  Bellevite,  for  she  was  the  only  ship  on 
the  blockade  that  could  be  counted  upon  to  over- 
haul the  Trafalgar,  if  the  reports  of  her  great  speed 
had  been  correctly  given. 

Both  Christy  and  Graines  had  listened  atten- 
tively to  the  revelations  of  Bird  Riley  ;  but  neither 
of  them  could  understand  why  the  four  men,  in- 
cluding the  mate,  had  deserted  the  West  Wind 
only  a  few  hours  before  she  was  to  depart  on  her 
voyage  to  Nassau,  where  she  was  believed  to  be 
bound.  The  reason  assigned  by  the  tipsy  mate 
was  that  she  was  going  out  in  tow  of  the  steamer, 
and  was  sure  to  be  taken  by  the  blockaders.  Both 
of  the  listeners  thought  this  fact  improved  her 
chances  of  getting  clear  of  any  possible  pursuers. 

Bird  Riley  had  fallen  back  on  the  ground ;  but 
he  still  continued  to  talk,  though  his  speech  was 
very  nearly  incoherent.  Graines  was  very  anxious 
to  know  what  time  it  was,  for  the  most  important 
part  of  the  enterprise  was  to  give  the  Bellevite 
timely  notice  of  the  coming  of  the  Trafalgar.  He 
struck  a  match  and  lighted  a  cigar,  offering  one 
to  the  mate,  which  he  took  and  lighted.     It  was 


VICINITY    OF    THE    CONFEDEllATE   FORT         61 

half-past  twelve  by  his  watch,  as  he  informed  Bird, 
tliousfh  he  did  so  more  for  the  information  of  the 
lieutenant  than  of  the  mate. 

"  I  reckon  we  are  all  about  full  enough  to  go  to 
sleep,  and  we  might  as  well  turn  in,"  said  Graines. 
"  But  I  suppose  you  uns  mean  to  sleep  on  board  of 
the  West  Wind." 

"I  don't  reckon  we'll  do  nothin'  o'  that  sort," 
hiccoughed  the  mate.  "We  done  got  a  p'int  to 
kerry,  and  I  reckon  we're  gwine  to  kerry  it." 

"  All  right,"  gobbled  the  engineer,  who  overdid 
his  part,  if  anything.  "  What's  the  p'int,  shipmate  ?  " 

"  Cap'n  Sull'dine's  sho't  handed,"  replied  the 
mate,  his  speech  turning  somersets  as  he  labored 
to  utter  the  words,  for  he  still  had  a  portion  of  liis 
senses  left. 

"  I  see,"  added  Graines,  tumbling  over,  but  re- 
gaining his  perpendicularity  with  a  trying  effort. 
"  Only  six  men  left  after  you  four  done  runned 
away." 

"  Six  !  "  exclaimed  Bird,  raising  himself  up  with 
a  desperate  struggle,  like  a  wounded  hawk.  "  No 
six  in  it ;  only  two  left.  He  don't,  can't  no  how, 
go  to  sea  with  only  two  men.  I'll  pilot  the 
schooner  out  by  the  Belican  Channel  an'  Mis'sip' 


62  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

Sound.  Cap'ii  SuU'dine  'n'  I  fit  over  it,  an'  I  left, 
with  most  of  the  crew.  Hah,  ha,  ha !  He  done 
got  'nuff  on't !  Let's  take  a  swigger,  and  then  we 
gwine  to  go  to  sleep,  like  the  rest  on  'em." 

With  no  little  difficulty  Bird  Riley  got  the  bot- 
tle to  his  lips,  wasting  no  little  of  the  liquor  in 
the  operation.  He  was  entirely  "  full  "  then.  He 
handed  the  bottle  to  the  engineer,  and  dropped 
over  on  his  back,  overcome  by  his  frequent  potions. 
Graines  did  not  find  it  necessary  to  go  through 
the  form  of  putting  the  bottle  to  his  lips  again,  and 
after  waiting  a  few  minutes  he  was  satisfied  that 
the  mate  was  in  a  deep  slumber,  from  which  he 
was  not  likely  to  wake  for  several  hours. 

But  all  the  information  he  appeared  to  be  capa- 
ble of  giving  had  been  imparted,  and  Graines  rose 
to  his  feet  as  steady  as  he  ever  was  in  his  life, 
having  taken  hardly  a  swallow  of  the  repulsive 
poison.  He  walked  away  from  the  sleeping  group 
on  the  ground,  halting  about  twenty  feet  from 
them.  Christy  saw  him,  for  his  eyes  were  open 
all  the  time,  and  he  had  listened  with  intense  in- 
terest to  the  conversation  between  the  engineer 
and  the  mate  of  the  West  Wind. 

The   lieutenant   straightened    himself    up    and 


VICINITY   OF   THE   CONFEDERATE   FORT         63 

looked  about  him.  The  fire  was  entirely  extin- 
guished ;  the  four  men  lay  with  their  feet  to  the 
embers,  and  not  one  of  them  showed  any  signs  of 
life.  Carefully  raising  himself  to  his  feet,  so  as 
not  to  disturb  the  sleeper  nearest  to  him,  he  crept 
away  to  the  spot  where  his  associate  awaited  him. 
Christy  led  the  way  in  the  direction  of  the  fort, 
but  both  of  them  were  silent  till  they  reached  the 
summit  of  the  knoll  which  concealed  the  inner 
bay  from  their  vision,  or  would  have  done  so  if  the 
fog  had  not  effectually  veiled  it  from  their  sight. 

"I  suppose  you  heard  all  that  was  said,  Mr, 
Passford,  after  you  ceased  to  lead  the  conversa- 
tion," said  Graines,  as  he  glanced  back  at  the  foot 
of  the  hollow  where  the  revel  had  taken  place. 

"Every  word  of  it;  and  I  could  insert  a  good 
deal  of  Avhat  might  have  been  read  between  the 
lines  if  the  talk  had  been  written  out,"  replied  the 
lieutenant.  "  As  you  were  the  cousin  of  the  mate, 
he  seemed  to  be  more  communicative  to  you  than 
to  me,  and  I  thought  it  best  to  leave  you  to  con- 
duct the  conversation.  You  did  it  extremely  well, 
Charley,  and  there  was  no  occasion  for  me  to  inter- 
fere. I  find  that  you  have  no  little  skill  as  a  de- 
tective, as  well  as  a  sailor  and  an  engineer,  and  I 


64  A   VICTOUIOUS    UNION 

shall  make  a  good  report  of  you  to  Captain  Breaker. 
I  could  almost  believe  that  we  were  boys  together 
again  as  we  were  carrying  on  the  farce  this 
evening." 

"Thank  you,  Christy  —  Mr.  Passford,"  added 
Graines. 

"  You  need  not  stand  on  ship  formalities  while 
we  are  alone,  Charley.  But  we  must  put  together 
the  threads  we  have  gathered  this  evening,  and,  if 
I  mistake  not,  we  shall  make  a  net  of  them,  into 
which  the  Trafalgar,  or  whatever  her  new  name 
may  be,  will  tumble  at  no  very  distant  time.  It 
appears  tliat  she  is  not  to  tow  out  the  West  Wind, 
for  Captain  SuUendine  cannot  go  to  sea  with  only 
two  men  before  the  mast,  and  no  mate." 

"  Bird  Riley  played  his  cards  very  well  to  ac- 
complish the  purpose  he  had  in  view,  which  was 
to  keep  the  West  Wind  from  going  to  sea  in  tow 
of  the  steamer,"  replied  Graines,  keeping  up  with 
the  lieutenant,  who  had  taken  a  very  rapid  pace. 

"  I  should  say  that  the  schooner  would  have  a 
much  better  chance  to  get  through  the  blockaders 
in  tow  of  the  Trafalo-ar  than  in  gfoino-  on  her  own 
hook.  Bird  is  a  big  fellow  in  his  own  estimation  ; 
but  it  struck  me  that  Captain  SuUendine  had  an 


VICINITY   OF   THE   CONFEDERATE   FORT         65 

ignorant  and  self-willed  fellow  for  a  mate,  and 
probably  he  took  the  best  one  he  could  find ;  for  I 
think  good  seamen,  outside  of  the  Confederate 
navy,  must  be  very  scarce  in  the  South," 

"  The  fellow  had  a  notion  in  his  head  that  he 
could  take  the  schooner  out  by  Pelican  Channel, 
and  he  quarrelled  with  the  captain  on  this  point. 
It  occurred  to  me  that  he  deserted  his  vessel  ou 
account  of  the  quarrel  rather  than  for  any  other 
reason." 

"  We  need  not  bother  our  heads  with  that  ques- 
tion, for  it  does  not  concern  us  ;  and  we  will  leave 
the  captain  and  his  mate  to  fight  it  out  when  they 
meet  to-morrow,  for  it  is  plain  enough  that  the  West 
Wind  cannot  go  to  sea  with  no  mate  and  only  two 
hands  before  the  mast,"  returned  Christy,  who  was 
hastenincr  forward  to  discharcre  what  he  considered 
his  first  duty  thus  far  developed  by  the  events  of 
the  night.  "What  time  is  it  now,  Charley?  I 
have  a  watch,  but  no  matches." 

The  engineer's  cigar  had  gone  out  when  he 
lighted  it  before,  and  he  had  jmt  it  in  a  pocket  of 
his  sack  coat.  Putting  it  in  his  mouth,  he  struck 
a  match,  and  consulted  his  watch. 

"  Quarter  of  one,  Christy ;  and  we  have  plenty 


66  A   VICTORIOUS    UNIOX 

of  time,"  he  replied  as  lie  lighted  his  cigar ;  for  he 
thought  it  would  help  him  to  maintain  his  indiffer- 
ence in  whatever  event  might  be  next  in  order. 

"  But  we  have  no  time  to  spare,"  added  the  lieu- 
tenant, as  he  increased  the  rapidity  of  his  pace. 
"  Our  five  pairs  of  men  must  have  reached  the 
vicinity  of  the  fort  before  this  time,  for  we  have 
had  a  long  conference  with  those  spreeists." 

"  About  an  hour  and  a  half ;  and  the  informa- 
tion we  have  obtained  will  fully  pay  for  the  time 
used." 

"  No  doubt  of  it ;  and  we  must  hurry  up  in  order 
to  make  a  good  use  of  it,"  said  Christy.  "  The 
fog  is  lifting  just  naw,  as  it  has  been  doing  all  the 
evening,  and  we  can  see  the  fort.  There  are  very 
few  people  about ;  for  it  cannot  be  an  uncommon 
event  to  see  a  blockade-runner  get  under  way." 

It  was  not  probable  that  any  of  the  persons  in 
sight  were  soldiers,  for  they  had  abundant  oppor- 
tunity to  see  all  there  was  to  be  seen  within  the 
solid  walls  that  sheltered  them.  The  rapid  pace 
at  which  the  lieutenant  led  his  companion  soon 
brought  them  to  the  group  of  people  near  the  shore 
of  the  channel  leading  to  Pilot  Town.  The  five 
pairs  of  seamen  were  well  scattered  about,  as  they 


VICINITY   OF   THE   CONFEDERATE   FOKT         67 

had  been  instructed  to  be,  and  they  did  not  appear 
to  have  attracted  the  attention  of  tlie  others  in  the 
vicinity. 

Pair  No.  Three  were  the  first  of  the  party  tlie  offi- 
cers encountered,  and  no  others  appeared  to  be  near 
them.  One  of  them  was  smoking  his  pipe,  and 
botli  of  them  were  taking  it  very  easily.  Not  far 
from  them  was  a  knot  of  men  who  seemed  to  be 
disturbed  by  some  kind  of  an  excitement.  As  the 
couple  encountered  manifested  no  interest  in  the 
affair,  Christy  concluded  that  they  must  know 
something  about  it,  unless  they  were  extremely 
scrupulous  in  adhering  to  the  orders  given 
them. 

"What  is  the  row  there,  French?"  asked  Christy 
in  a  low  and  guarded  tone,  though  there  was  no 
stranger  very  near  him. 

"  The  man  in  the  middle  is  the  captain  of  that 
schooner  you  see  off  the  shore,  sir.  His  mate  and 
three  of  his  crew  have  deserted  the  vessel,  and  he 
can't  go  to  sea  without  them,"  replied  French. 

"They  say  the  steamer  ahead  is  to  tow  the 
schooner  out;  but  the  captain  cannot  go  because 
he  has  only  two  men  left,"  added  Lines,  the  other 
man  of  the  pair. 


68  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"Do  you  know  where  to  find  Nos.  One  and 
Two?  "  continued  the  leader  of  the  expedition. 

"I  do  not,  sir;  for  we  keep  clear  of  each  other, 
as  we  were  ordered,"  answered  French,  as  he  looked 
about  him  for  the  men  designated. 

"  You  two  will  separate,  and  find  One  and  Two. 
Send  them  to  me,  and  I  will  wait  here  for  them," 
added  Christy ;  and  the  men  departed  on  the 
errand.  "While  I  am  waiting  for  them,  Mr. 
Graines,  you  may  go  down  to  that  group,  and  pick 
up  what  information  you  can." 

The  engineer  sauntered  down  the  declivity, 
smoking  his  cigar,  and  making  himself  as  much  at 
home  on  the  enemy's  territory  as  though  he  had 
been  the  commander  of  the  Confederate  fort. 
Christy  was  not  kept  long  in  waiting,  and  the  first 
pair  that  reported  to  him  were  Weeks  and  Bing- 
ham, No.  One.  The  former  was  the  oiler  who 
had  been  selected  on  account  of  his  ingenuity  and 
good  judgment  by  Graines. 

"  Are  you  a  sailor  as  well  as  a  machinist,  Weeks  ?  " 
asked  Christy. 

"  I  am  not  much  of  a  sailor,  sir,  though  I  have 
handled  a  schooner.  I  have  been  a  boatman  more 
or  less  of  the  time  all  my  life,"  replied  the  oiler 
modestly. 


'i 

VICINITY    OF    THE    CONFEDERATE    FORT         69  ] 

i 

By  this  time  No.  Two,  Lane  and  McGrady,  re-  , 

ported,  but  French  and  Lines  kept  their  distance,  i 

in  conformity  with  the  spirit  of  their  orders.  [ 

"Nos.  One  and  Two  will  return  to  the  whale-  ■ 

boat,  and  Weeks  will  be  in  command  of  the  party,"  ^ 

continued  Christy.     "The  rest  of  you  will  obey  ■ 
him  as  your  officer.     Is  this  understood  ?  " 

"Ay,  ay,  sir,"  responded  the  tliree  men.  -i 

"  Weeks,  you  will  carry  the  boat  to  the  water,  i 

and  return  to  the   ship    with  all   possible   haste. 

Inform  Captain  Breaker  that  the  Trafalgar  will  '■ 

sail  at  three  o'clock  in  the  moriiing.     I  will  report 

to  him  later." 

j 
The  four  men  started  off  as  thougli  they  meant  ! 

to  obey  this  order  to  the  letter. 


70  A  yiCTOEIOUS   UNION 


CHAPTER   VI 

CAPTAIN   SULLENDINE   OF   THE   WEST   WIND 

Weeks  and  his  companions  divided  up  as  tliey 
had  been  ordered  to  do  in  coming  to  the  fort,  and 
departed  in  different  directions.  The  lieutenant 
pointed  out  to  them  tiie  locality  of  the  bivouac 
where  he  had  passed  so  much  of  the  evening,  so 
that  they  might  avoid  it.  It  was  about  one  o'clock 
in  the  morning  when  they  left,  and  Christy  cal- 
culated that  they  Avould  reach  the  ship  in  an  hour 
and  a  half,  which  would  give  the  commander  amjjle 
time  to  get  up  steam  from  the  banked  fires,  and 
move  down  four  or  five  miles  to  the  southward  of 
his  present  position. 

The  chief  of  the  expedition  had  sent  no  mes- 
sage to  the  captain  of  the  Bellevite  in  regard  to 
his  own  movements,  but  simply  that  he  would 
report  to  him  later.  He  had  already  grasped  an 
idea,  though  he  had  had  no  time  to  work  it  up  in 
detail.  It  looked  practicable  to  him,  and  he  had 
jumped  to  a  conclusion  as  soon  as  he  Avas  in  pos- 


CAPTAIN   SULLENDINE    OF    THE    WEST    WIND     71 

session  of  the  facts  covering  the  situation  in  the 
vicinity  of  Fort  Morgan. 

With  only  a  plan  not  yet  matured  in  his  mind, 
perhaps  he  had  been  more  rash  than  usual  in  send- 
ing away  the  whaleboat  before  he  had  provided 
for  his  own  retreat  from  the  enemy's  territory  ;  but 
he  had  considered  tliis  difficulty,  and  had  come  to 
the  conclusion  that  the  Trafalgar  must  be  captured 
if  possible,  even  if  he  and  his  associates  were  sent 
to  a  Confederate  prison. 

But  he  did  not  anticipate  any  such  result.  He 
had  three  pairs  of  the  seamen  left ;  and  the  party 
still  consisted  of  eight  men,  all  well  armed.  If 
the  plan  he  had  considered  should  fail,  he  had 
force  enough  to  carry  a  light  boat  from  Pilot 
Town,  or  any  other  point  on  the  inner  shore,  in 
which  they  could  make  their  escape  to  the  Belle- 
vite  or  some  other  blockader.  He  did  not  feel, 
therefore,  that  he  had  "burned  his  bridges,"  and 
left  open  no  means  of  retreat  in  case  of  disaster. 

Christy  and  Graines  were  left  alone  in  the  dark- 
ness and  the  fog,  a  bank  of  wliich  was  just  then 
sweeping  over  the  point ;  but  they  could  hear  the 
violent  talk  of  Captain  Sullendine  in  the  distance, 
as  he  declaimed  against  the  perfidy  of  his  mate  and 


72  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

the  three  seamen  just  at  the  point  where  he  needed 
them  most.  Evidently  he  could  not  reconcile  him- 
self to  the  idea  of  being  left  behind  by  the  Trafal- 
gar, which  seemed  to  be  inevitable  under  present 
circumstances. 

"  The  skipper  of  the  West  Wind  seems  to  be  in 
an  ocean  of  trouble,  and  he  is  apparently  resolved 
not  to  submit  to  the  misfortune  which  has  over- 
taken him,"  said  Christy,  as  he  led  the  way 
towards  the  knot  of  men  who  were  the  auditors  of 
the  rebellious  captain. 

"  He  may  jaw  as  much  as  he  pleases,  if  it  makes 
him  feel  any  better,  but  I  don't  see  how  he  can 
help  himself,"  replied  Graines.  "  The  schooner 
looked  like  a  rather  large  one  when  I  got  a  sight  of 
her  just  before  I  came  back  to  you,  which  I  did  as 
soon  as  I  saw  the  four  men  leave  you." 

"I  sent  Weeks  as  a  messenger  to  Captain 
Breaker,  to  inform  him  that  the  Trafalgar  would 
sail  at  three  in  the  morning,"  added  Christy. 

"  I  concluded  that  was  the  mission  upon  which 
you  sent  him,"  replied  the  engineer  ;  and,  whatever 
doubts  the  lieutenant's  action  might  have  raised 
in  his  mind,  he  asked  no  questions. 

Every  man  on  board  of  the  Belle vite  was  well 


CAPTAIN    SULLENDINE    OF    THE    WEST    WIND     73 

acquainted  with  the  record  and  reputation  of  the 
executive  officer ;  and  he  concluded  at  once  that 
Christy  had  already  arranged  his  method  of  opera- 
tions. It  was  not  "  in  good  form "  to  ask  his 
superior  any  questions  in  regard  to  his  intentions. 

"Did  you  go  down  to  the  shore,  Charley?" 
asked  Christy,  as  they  walked  in  that  direction. 

"  I  did  not,  but  I  went  far  enough  to  hear  what 
the  captain  of  the  West  Wind  was  talking  about. 
I  had  no  orders,  and  as  soon  as  I  saw  the  four  men 
leave  you,  I  thought  I  had  better  rejoin  you," 
answered  Graines. 

"  Quite  right,"  said  the  lieutenant  as  he  halted; 
for  they  were  as  near  the  group  on  the  shore  as  it 
was  prudent  to  go,  for  the  fog  was  lifting.  "  What 
did  the  captain  say?" 

"  fie  offered  ten  dollars  apiece  for  the  recovery 
of  the  men  who  had  deserted,  if  they  were  brought 
back  within  two  hours,"  replied  Graines.  "He 
did  an  immense  amount  of  heavy  swearing ;  and  it 
was  plain  that  he  was  mad  all  the  way  through, 
from  the  crown  of  his  head  to  the  sole  of  his 
foot." 

"  Was  any  one  inclined  to  accept  his  offer,  and 
go  in  search  of  the  runaways  ?  " 


74  A   VICTORIOUS    UNIOX 

"  I  can't  say,  but  I  saw  no  one  leave  on  that  or 
any  other  mission.  I  was  there  but  a  few  minutes, 
and  the  fog  dropped  down  on  the  party  so  that  I 
could  not  see  them  at  all." 

"  We  must  join  that  assemblage,  and  we  may 
be  able  to  help  Captain  Sullendine  out  of  his 
dilemma,"  said  Christy. 

"  Help  him  out  of  it !  "  exclaimed  Graines. 

"  Not  a  word  more,  Charley.  I  have  an  idea  or 
two  left,  but  it  is  not  prudent  to  say  a  word  about 
it  here,"  replied  the  lieutenant  cautiousl}^  "You 
know  the  cut  of  my  jib  in  my  present  rig,  and  I 
want  you  to  keep  an  eye  on  me,  for  we  must 
separate  now.  When  you  see  me  take  off  this  old 
soft  hat  with  my  left  hand,  and  scratch  my  head 
with  my  right,  moving  off  a  minute  later,  you  will 
follow  me.  By  that  time  I  shall  know  what  we 
are  to  do." 

"  All  right,  Christy  ;  I  will  follow  the  direction 
to  the  letter,"  added  Graines. 

"  While  you  go  off  to  the  left  of  that  pile  of 
rubbish  yonder,  I  will  go  to  the  right  of  it.  If  you 
speak  to  any  of  our  men,  do  so  with  the  utmost 
caution." 

"They  have   been  down  there  some  time,   and 


CAPTAIN   SULLENDINE   OF   THE   WEST   WIND    75 

they  have  full  information  in  regard  to  what  is 
going  on  in  this  locality,"  suggested  Graines. 

"Use  your  own  judgment,  Charley,  only  be 
careful  not  to  give  us  away,"  replied  the  lieutenant, 
as  he  moved  towards  the  pile  of  rubbish. 

A  walk  of  a  few  minutes  brought  him  to  the 
group  on  the  shore,  which  consisted  of  not  more 
than  a  dozen  persons,  and  half  of  them  belonged 
to  the  Bellevite.  Christy  halted  before  he  reached 
the  assemblage,  in  order  to  listen  to  the  eloquence 
of  the  captain  of  the  West  Wind.  He  talked  very 
glibly ;  and  it  did  not  take  his  outside  auditor 
long  to  perceive  that  he  had  been  drinking  some- 
what freely,  tliough  he  was  not  what  non-temper- 
ance men  would  have  called  intoxicated. 

"  I  use  my  men  well,  and  give  'em  enough  to 
eat  and  drink,  and  what's  sfood  enoucfh,"  the 
nautical  orator  declaimed  with  a  double-handed 
gesture.  "  Why,  my  friends,  I  gave  each  of  the 
villains  that  deserted  the  schooner  a  bottle  of 
apple-jack.  I  don't  drink  it  myself,  but  it  is  good 
enough  for  niggers  and  sailors ;  in  fact,  my  men 
liked  it  better'n  whiskey,  because  it's  stronger. 
They  served  me  a  mighty  mean  trick,  and  I'll  give 
ten  dollars  apiece  to  have  'em  fetched  back  to  me. 


76  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

That's  a  good  chance  for  some  on  you  to  make 
some  money  to-night." 

His  audience  listened  to  him  as  they  would  have 
done  to  a  preacher  with  whom  they  had  no  sym- 
pathy, and  no  one  was  tempted  by  the  reward  to 
go  in  search  of  the  deserters.  Christy  moved  up 
nearer  to  the  speaker.  In  his  disguise,  with  his 
face  smooched  with  some  of  the  color  he  had  re- 
ceived as  a  present  from  Mr.  Gilfleur,  the  French 
detective,  with  whom  he  had  been  associated  on 
his  cruise  some  months  before,  he  did  not  appear 
at  all  different  from  most  of  those  who  listened  to 
Captain  Sullendine.  He  had  laid  aside  his  gentle- 
manly gait  and  bearing,  and  acted  as  though  he 
had  lately  joined  the  "  awkward  squad." 

"How  d'e  ?  "  called  the  orator  to  him,  as  he  saw 
him  join  the  group  of  listeners.  "  I  see  you  come 
from  the  other  side  of  the  p'int." 

"  Well,  is  that  agin  the  laws  o'  war  ?  "  demanded 
Christy. 

"  Not  a  bit  on't,"  replied  the  captain  pleasantly, 
as  though  his  potations  of  whiskey  were  still  in  full 
effect  upon  him.  "  If  you  come  from  that  way, 
have  you  seen  anything  of  my  four  men  that  de- 
serted the  schooner  ?  " 


CAPTAIN   SULLENDINE   OF   THE   WEST   WIND    77 

"I  wasn't  lookin'  for  'em;  didn't  know  ye'd  lost 
some  men,"  replied  Christy,  staring  with  his  mouth 
half  open  at  the  orator.  "  Was  one  on  'em  the 
mate  ?  " 

"  Yes  !  "  exclaimed  the  captain  eagerly. 

"  Well,  I  hain't  seen  nothin'  on  em,"  added 
Christy  in  a  mumbling  tone. 

"  I'll  bet  you  have  I "  protested  the  skipper  of 
the  West  Wind.  "  How'd  you  know  one  on  'em 
was  the  mate  if  you  didn't  see  'em  ?  " 

"  I  didn't  know  one  on  'em  was  the  mate  ;  I  only 
axed  yer  so's  ter  know." 

"  I  reckon  you  know  sunthin  about  my  men," 
persisted  the  captain  ;  and  by  this  time  the  atten- 
tion of  all  the  party  had  been  directed  to  him. 

"  I  don't  know  nothin'  about  yer  men,  and  I 
hain't  been  interduced  to  'em.  If  you  want  to  ship 
a  new  crew,  I'm  ready  to  jine  with  yer." 

"  One  man  ain't  enough,"  added  the  skipper. 

"Some  o'  these  men'll  jine  too,  I  reckon,"  sug- 
gested Christy,  who  had  proceeded  in  this  manner 
in  order  to  attract  the  attention  of  the  disconsolate 
master  of  the  West  Wind. 

"  I  don't  reckon  they  can  ship,  'cause  most  on 
'em  belongs  to  the  Tallahatchie,  and  they  can't 
leave." 


78  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"That's  so,"  shouted  several  of  the  group,  in- 
cluclinor  some  of  the  crew  of  the  Bellevite. 

"What's  the  Talla-what-you-call-her  ? "  de- 
manded Christy. 

"  She's  the  steamer  you  can  see  when  the  fog 
lifts,"  answered  Captain  Sullendine.  "  The  Talla- 
hatchie is  her  name.  Are  you  a  sailor,  my  lively 
lad?" 

"I  reckon  I  know  the  bobstay  from  the  main- 
mast." 

"  You  know  sumthin  about  my  mate  and  men, 
my  jolly  tar,  and  I'll  give  you  five  dollars  apiece 
for  any  news  on  'em  that  Avill  help  me  to  ketcli 
'em ;  and  I'll  ship  you  into  the  bargain,  for  I  want 
more  hands,"  the  captain  proceeded  in  a  more  busi- 
ness-like manner,  though  at  the  expense  of  his 
oratory. 

Just  at  this  moment  three  short  and  sharp  whis- 
tles sounded  from  off  the  shore,  and  about  half  of 
the  skipper's  audience  turned  upon  their  heels  and 
walked  down  to  the  water,  where  they  embarked 
in  a  boat.  Tliey  were  evidently  members  of  the 
ship's  company  of  the  Tallahatchie,  on  shore  on 
leave,  and  the  whistles  were  the  signal  for  their 
return.     The  remainder  of  the  group,  with  two  or 


CAPTAIN   SULLENDINE   OF   THE   WEST   WIKD    79 

three  exceptions,  were  the  seamen  of  the  block- 
acler. 

"  Where'd  you  come  from,  my  hearty  ? "  de- 
manded the  captain  of  the  schooner,  turning  to 
Christy  again. 

"  I  was  tooken  in  a  blockader,  eight  on  us.  We 
done  stole  a  whaleboat  and  comed  ashore,"  replied 
Christy,  enlarging  upon  the  story  he  had  told  the 
bivouackers. 

"  Eight  on  you  !  "  exclaimed  the  master  of  the 
schooner.     "  Where's  the  rest  on  ye  ?  " 

"  They're  all  about  here  somewliar,  and  I  reckon 
I  kin  find  em.  They're  lookin  for  sunthin  t'eat. 
They  all  want  to  ship,  and  the  mate  of  the  Rat- 
tler's one  on  'em,"  continued  Christy,  guiding 
himself  by  the  circumstances  as  they  were  devel- 
oped to  him. 

"  What's  your  name,  my  man  ?  " 

"My  name's  Jerry  Sandman;  and  I  ain't 
ashamed  on't." 

"  Are  your  men  all  sailors,  Je^ry  ?  " 

"  Every  one  on  'em." 

"  I  want  eight  good  men,  Jerry,  the  mate  bein' 
one  on  'em," 

"  Then  we  kin  fix  you  like  a  'possum  in  a  hole." 


80  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  I've  got  two  boats  on  the  shore ;  the  deserters 
stole  one  on  'em,  and  I  come  ashore  in  t'other  arter 
'em.  I  reckon  I'll  get  a  steamer  in  Nassau,  and  I 
want  all  the  good  men  I  can  find  to  man  her.  I'll 
ship  the  whole  on  you.  Find  your  men,  Jerry, 
and  fetch  'em  down  to  the  boats.  I'll  give  'era  all 
sumthin  t'eat.  Now  be  lively  about  it,"  said 
Captain  SuUendine,  as  he  walked  away  towards 
the  shore. 

"  I'll  find  'em  in  no  time,"  replied  Christy,  as  he 
removed  his  soft  hat  with  his  left  hand,  and 
scratched  his  head  with  the  other. 

The  rest  of  the  party  scattered,  and  Graines 
joined  the  lieutenant. 


A  POWERFUL  ALLY   OF   THE  BELLEVITEKS     81 


CHAPTER   VII 

A  POWERFUL  ALLY   OF   THE   BELLEVITERS 

The  seamen  of  the  Bellevite  had  listened  with 
intense  interest  to  the  conversation  between  the 
commander  of  the  West  Wind  and  the  lieutenant ; 
and  there  Avas  not  a  single  one  of  them  who  did 
not  comprehend  the  purpose  of  the  chief  of  the 
expedition.  They  were  greatly  amused  at  the 
manner  in  which  Christy  conducted  himself,  and 
especially  at  the  mongrel  dialect  he  had  used.  It 
was  a  little  difficult  for  them  to  realize  that  the 
awkward  fellow  who  was  in  conversation  with  the 
skipper  of  the  schooner  was  the  gentlemanly,  well- 
spoken  officer  they  had  been  accustomed  to  see  on 
the  quarter-deck  of  the  Bellevite. 

They  separated  as  they  had  been  instructed  to 
do ;  but  they  were  careful  not  to  go  to  any  great 
distance  from  the  spot,  for  they  understood  that 
they  should  be  wanted  in  a  few  minutes.  Graines 
had  not  spoken  a  word  on  this  occasion,  though  he 
had  done  most  of  the  talking  at  the  bivouac.     lie 


82  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

was  ready  to  do  his  part ;  but  the  skipper  had  ad- 
dressed his  companion  first,  introducing  the  sub- 
ject, and  he  had  no  opportunity  to  get  in  a  single 
word. 

"I  suppose  you  understand  it  all,  Charley," 
said  Christy  as  soon  as  they  were  alone. 

"  I  could  not  very  well  have  helped  doing  so  if 
I  had  tried.  The  only  thing  that  bothered  me  was 
when  you  appeared  to  be  betraying  yourself  by 
alluding  to  the  mate,"  replied  Graines. 

"  I  did  not  do  that  by  accident ;  but  I  desired  to 
get  the  whole  attention  of  the  captain,  and  I  got 
it.  The  rest  all  followed  in  due  course.  Now  tell 
all  the  men  to  go  down  to  the  shore,  and  wait  a 
little  distance  from  the  two  boats  till  you  and  I 
join  them.  Tell  them  all  to  be  hungry.  Your 
name  is  Mr.  Balker,  the  mate  of  the  Rattler,  the 
blockade-runner  from  which  we  escaped  in  a  whale- 
boat.  My  name  is  Jerry  Sandman,  the  second 
mate,  for  the  want  of  a  better.  Tell  them  not  to 
forget  any  of  these  names,"  continued  Christy. 

"  They  heard  the  whole  story,  and  they  were 
deeply  interested  in  it,  for  they  could  not  help 
seeing  what  was  coming,"  added  the  engineer,  as 
he  went  to  carry  out  the  order  he  had  just  received. 


A   POWERFUL    ALLY    OF   THE    BELLEVITERS       83 

The  seamen  still  kept  together  in  pairs,  and 
Graines  instructed  them  by  twos,  impressing  them 
with  the  necessity  of  remembering  the  names  they 
had  heard  in  the  lieutenant's  story,  which  was  a 
"story"  in  the  double  sense  of  the  Avord.  As 
each  couple  received  their  lesson,  they  sauntered 
in  the  direction  of  the  shore. 

''  What's  going  to  be  done,  Mr.  Graines  ?  "  asked 
French,  who  was  one  of  the  second  pair  the  en- 
gineer instructed. 

"  That  is  none  of  your  business,  French.  You 
are  to  remember  the  names  I  have  given  you,  and 
then  obey  orders,"  replied  Graines  rather  sharpl}^, 
for  it  was  a  very  unusual  thing  for  a  seaman,  or 
even  an  officer,  to  ask  such  a  question  of  his  supe- 
rior ;  and  the  discipline  of  the  Bellevite  was  as 
exacting  as  it  Avas  kind  and  fatherly. 

"  Excuse  me,  Mr.  Graines  ;  I  only  Avanted  to  be 
ready  for  AA'hatever  Avas  coming,"  pleaded  French. 

"  Excused ;  but  don't  ask  such  questions.  You 
listened  to  the  conversation  between  your  officer 
and  the  captain  of  the  schooner ;  and  if  you  cannot 
comprehend  the  meaning  of  it,  ask  Lines,  and  he 
Avill  explain  it,"  added  the  engineer.  "Where  are 
Londall  and  Vogel?" 


84  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"Right  by  that  pile  of  rubbish,  sir,"  replied 
French,  as  he  led  the  Avay  to  the  shore. 

The  last  pair  were  instructed  and  sent  with  the 
others,  and  they  asked  no  questions.  Grain es 
joined  the  lieutenant,  who  had  seated  himself  on  a 
log,  and  reported  that  all  was  going  on  right. 

"  As  I  said  before,  Charley,  you  will  be  the  mate 
of  the  Rattler,  and  will  no  doubt  be  engaged  for 
the  same  position  on  board  of  the  West  Wind.  I 
will  ship  as  second  mate,  if  one  of  the  two  men 
now  on  board  of  the  vessel  is  not  shipped  as  such, 
for  I  wish  to  be  among  the  men,"  said  Christy,  after 
looking  about  him  to  see  that  no  one  was  within 
hearing  distance  of  them. 

"  I  take  it  I  shall '  not  make  a  long  voyage  as 
mate,"  replied  Graines. 

"  Probably  not,  though  I  cannot  tell  how  long 
you  will  have  to  serve  in  that  capacity.  I  purpose 
to  have  the  Tallahatchie  tow  the  schooner  as  far 
down  as  practicable ;  but  we  shall  doubtless  have 
business  on  our  hands  before  it  is  time  to  cut  the 
towline.     Now  we  will  wait  upon  the  captain." 

They  found  him  walking  up  and  down  the  shore, 
apparently  somewhat  excited;  and  doubtless  he  had 
not  entire  confidence  in   the  promises  of  "  Jerry 


A   POWERFUL    ALLY    OF    THE    BELLE VITERS      85 

Sandman."  The  six  seamen  had  not  joined  Cap- 
tain Sullendine  on  the  shore,  but  had  placed  them- 
selves behind  a  coal  shanty  quite  near  the  water. 

"  I've  brought  the  mate  down,  Cap'n  SuU'dine," 
Christy  began,  as  he  and  the  engineer  halted  in 
front  of  the  master  of  the  schooner.  "  Here  he  is, 
an'  I  reckon  there  ain't  no  better  sailor  in  the 
great  Confed'racy.     This  yere  is  Mr.  Balker." 

"  How  are  ye,  Mr.  Balker  ?  You  are  just  the 
man  I  want  more'n  I  want  my  supper.  Now  tell 
me  something  about  yourself." 

Graines  invented  a  story  suited  to  the  occasion. 
Then  the  conversation  was  about  wages ;  and  the 
candidate  haggled  for  form's  sake,  but  finally 
accepted  the  lay  the  captain  offered. 

"  By  the  way.  Captain  Sullendine,  do  you  hap- 
pen to  have  a  second  mate  ?  "  asked  the  engineer 
when  the  terms  were  arranged. 

"  I  had  one  ;  but  he  run  away  with  Bird  Ililey. 
He  wa'n't  good  for  nothin',  and  I'm  glad  he's 
gone,"  replied  the  skipper. 

"  The  man  you  talked  with  is  Jerry  Sandman, 
and  he  was  the  other  mate  of  the  Rattler.  He  isn't 
a  showy  fellow,  but  he  was  a  first-class  second 
mate,"  continued  Graines. 


86  A  viCTortious  union 

"Then  I  ship  him  as  second  mate  ;  "  and  they 
arranged  the  wages  without  much  difficulty. 

The  six  seamen  were  promptly  shipped.  The 
whole  party  then  embarked  in  the  two  boats,  Cap- 
tain Sullendine  dividing  them  into  two  parties  for 
the  purpose.  The  fog  had  settled  down  very 
densely  upon  the  shore  ;  but  the  "West  Wind  was 
easily  found,  and  they  went  on  board,  where  one 
boat  was  hoisted  up  to  the  stern  davits,  and  the 
other  on  the  port  quarter. 

"Here  you  be,  Mr.  Balker,"  said  Captain  Sul- 
lendine when  the  party  reached  the  quarter-deck  ; 
and  he  was  so  lively  in  his  movements,  and  so  glib 
in  his  speech,  as  to  provoke  the  suspicion  that  he 
had  imbibed  again  at  the  conclusion  of  his  oration 
on  shore.  "  Here,  you,  Sopsy  !  "  he  continued  in  a 
loud  voice. 

A  lantern  was  burning  on  the  companion,  which 
enabled  the  party  to  see  that  the  waist  of  the 
vessel  was  compactly  packed  with  bales  of  cotton. 
The  schooner  seemed  to  be  of  considerable  size, 
and  Christy  thought  she  must  be  loaded  with  a 
very  large  cargo  of  the  precious  merchandise.  In 
answer  to  tlie  captain's  call,  Sopsy,  who  proved  to 
be  the  negro  cook  of  the  vessel,  presented  himself. 


A    POWERFUL    ALLY    OF    THE    BELLEVITERS       87 

"  All  these  people  Avant  something  to  eat,  Sopsy. 
Let  the  crew  eat  in  the  deck-house  for'ad,  and 
bring  a  lunch  into  the  cabin  right  off,"  continued 
Captain  Sullendine. 

"  Yis,  sar,"  replied  the  cook  with  emphasis. 
"  Git  'em  quicker'n  a  man  kin  swaller  his  own 
head.     Libes  dar  a  man  wid  soul  so  dead  "  — 

"Never  mind  the  varse,  Sopsy,"  interposed  the 
captain. 

"  —  As  never  to  hisself  have  said  "  — 

"  Hurry  up,  Sopsy  !  " 

"  He  don't  say  dat,  Massa  Cap'n,"  added  the 
cook,  as  he  shuffled  off  over  the  bales  of  cotton. 

"  Hullo  there,  Bokes  !  Where  are  you,  Bokes  ?  " 
called  the  captain  again. 

"  On  deck,  Cap'n,"  replied  a  white  man,  crawl- 
ing out  from  a  small  opening  in  the  bales. 

"  Wake  up,  Bokes  !     You  ain't  dead  yet." 

"  No,  sir ;  wide  awake's  a  coon  in  a  hencoop," 
added  the  man,  who  appeared  to  be  one  of  the  two 
left  on  board  by  the  deserters,  the  cook  being  the 
other. 

"  Be  alive,  Bokes  !  Here,  wait  a  minute  !  "  and 
the  captain  ran  down  the  companion  ladder  to  the 
cabin,  from  which  he  presently  appeared  with  a 


88  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

bottle  in  each  hand.  "  Do  you  see  them  men  on 
the  cotton,  Bokes  ?  "  he  asked,  pointing  with  one 
of  them  at  the  six  Belleviters,  who  stood  where 
they  had  taken  their  stations  after  hoisting  up  the 
quarter-boat. 

"  I  see  sunthin  over  thar,"  replied  the  seaman, 
who  seemed  to  be  hardly  awake  yet. 

"  Them's  the  new  crew  I  shipped  to-night  —  six 
on  'em,  or  seven  with  the  second  mate,"  added 
the  captain.  "  Show  'em  over  to  the  deck-house, 
and  let  'em  pick  out  their  bunks." 

"  Seven  on  'em ;  the  cook  and  me  makes  nine, 
and  they  ain't  but  eight  berths  in  the  deck-house, 
Cap'n,"  replied  Bokes,  who  seemed  to  be  afraid  of 
losing  his  own  sleeping  quarters. 

"  You  can  sleep  on  the  deck,  then.  These  are 
all  good  men,  and  they  must  have  good  berths," 
added  the  captain.  "  You  can  sleep  as  well  in  the 
scuppers  as  anywhere  else,  Bokes ;  and  you  ain't 
more'n  half  awake  any  time." 

"  Must  have  my  berth,  Cap'n,  or  I  go  ashore," 
persisted  the  seaman. 

"Small  loss  anyhow,"  growled  the  captain. 

"  How  is  the  cabin.  Captain  Sullendine  ? " 
interposed  Graines. 


A    POWERFUL    ALLY    OF    THE    BELLEVITERS       89 

"  Two  staterooms  and  four  berths,"  replied  the 
master. 

"  Then  why  can't  the  second  mate  take  one  of  the 
berths  in  the  cabin  ?  "  suggested  the  new  mate.  "  He 
is  a  first-rate  fellow,  and  I  reckon  he's  a  better  sailor 
than  I  am,  for  he's  been  to  sea  about  all  his  life." 

"  '  Tain't  reg'lar  to  have  the  second  mate  in  the 
cabin.  He'll  have  t'eat  with  us  if  he  bunks  there," 
argued  the  master. 

"  He'll  have  to  keep  his  watch  on  deck  when  we 
eat,  and  I  reckon  he'll  have  to  take  his  grub  alone," 
reasoned  the  mate. 

"  I'd  ruther  live  in  the  deck-house  with  the  crew," 
said  Christy. 

"  But  there  ain't  no  room  thar,"  added  Graines, 
who  thought  his  superior  had  made  the  remark 
simply  to  keep  up  his  character. 

"  Let  him  come  into  the  cabin,  then,"  said  Cap- 
tain SuUendine,  in  order  to  settle  the  question. 
"  Now,  Bokes,  take  this  apple-jack,  and  show  the 
'other  six  to  the  deck-house.  Give  'em  one  or  two 
drinks  all  round.     It'll  do  'em  good." 

Bokes  obeyed  the  order,  after  the  master  had 
lighted  another  lantern  for  his  use,  and  he  went 
over  the  bales  of  cotton  to  the  seamen. 


I 


90  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Captain  Sullendine  remarked  with  great  com- 
placency that  he  always  treated  his  men  well,  gave 
them  enough  to  eat  and  drink,  and  he  thought  the 
apple-jack  he  had  sent  them  would  do  them  good. 
He  liked  to  be  liberal  Avith  his  crew,  for  he  believed 
a  tot  of  grog  would  go  further  with  them  than 
"cussin'  'em;"  and  the  two  mates  did  not  gainsay 
him,  though  they  believed  in  neither  grog  nor 
"  cussin'." 

Though  Christy  ncA^er  drank  a  drop  of  intoxicat- 
ing fluid  under  any  circumstances,  and  Graines 
almost  never,  both  of  them  believed  that  "  apple- 
jack" had  been  a  very  serviceable  ally  during  the 
night  so  far.  But  they  considered  it  useful  only 
in  the  hands  of  the  enemy,  and  they  were  sorry  to 
see  the  bottles  sent  forward  for  the  use  of  Bellevi- 
ters ;  for  they  were  afraid  some  of  them  might  mud- 
dle and  tangle  their  brains  with  the  fiery  liquor. 

"  Come,  mates,  let's  go  down  into  the  cabin  now," 
continued  the  captain,  descending  the  ladder  with- 
out waiting  for  them. 

"  I  will  go  forward  for  a  few  minutes,  Charley," 
whispered  Christy  in  the  ear  of  the  engineer,  who 
followed  the  captain  below. 

When  the  lieutenant  reached  the  deck-house  he 


A   POWERFUL   ALLY    OF    THE    BELLEVITEUS       91 

found  the  men  there,  with  Bokes  in  tlie  act  of  tak- 
ing a  long  pull  at  one  of  the  bottles,  while  French 
was  holding  the  other. 

"  Here's  the  second  mate,"  said  the  seaman  with 
the  bottle. 

"  You  can  keep  the  bottle  you  have,  Bokes," 
said  Christy.  "Now  go  aft  with  it."  The  sleepy 
sailor  was  willing  enough  to  obey  such  a  welcome 
order,  and  the  lieutenant  took  the  other  bottle  to 
the  side  and  emptied  it  into  the  water.  The  men 
did  not  object,  and  the  new  second  mate  joined  the 
master  in  the  cabin. 


92  A   VICTOIilOUS   UNION 


CHAPTER  VIII 

ON   BOAED   OF   THE   COTTON   SCHOONER 

Probably  some,  if  not  all,  of  the  six  men  in  the 
deck-house  of  the  West  Wind  were  in  the  habit  of 
taking  intoxicating  liquors  when  they  were  ashore, 
and  when  it  was  served  out  on  board  of  the  ship  in 
conformity  with  the  rules  and  traditions  of  the 
navy.  The  commander  and  his  executive  officer 
labored  for  the  promotion  of  total  abstinence  among 
the  officers  and  crew.  More  than  the  usual  propor- 
tion of  the  men  commuted  their  "  grog  ration " 
for  money,  through  the  influence  of  the  principal 
officers. 

While  the  commander  of  the  present  expedition 
accepted  the  aid  of  the  powerful  ally,  "  apple- 
jack," in  the  service  of  his  country,  drinking 
freely  appeared  to  him  to  be  about  the  same  thing 
as  going  over  to  the  enemy ;  and  he  could  not  per- 
mit his  men  to  turn  traitors  involuntarily,  when  he 
knew  they  would  not  do  so  of  their  own  free  will 
and  accord.     He  had  settled  the  liquor  question 


ON   BOAED   OF   THE   COTTON   SCHOONER        93 

to  his  own  satisfaction  in  the  deck-house,  return- 
ing the  bottle  to  French. 

When  Graines  went  below,  a  minute  or  two  later 
than  Captain  SuUendine,  he  saw  his  new  superior 
in  the  act  of  tossing  off  another  glass  of  whiskey, 
as  he  concluded  it  was  from  the  label  on  the  bot- 
tle which  stood  on  the  cabin  table.  He  had  been 
considerably"  exhilarated  before,  and  he  was  in  a 
fair  way  to  strengthen  the  ally  of  the  loyalists  by 
carrying  his  powerful  influence  to  the  head  of 
the  commander  of  the  intending  blockade-run- 
ner. The  captain  seated  himself  at  the  table, 
and  Christy  saw  that  he  had  a  flat  bottle  in  his 
breast-pocket. 

"Now,  Mr.  Balker,  we  had  better  seal  up  the 
bargain  we've  made  with  forty  drops  from  this 
bottle,"  said  he,  as  he  poured  out  a  glass  for  him- 
self, regardless  of  the  fact  that  he  had  just  indulged; 
and  at  the  same  time  he  pushed  the  bottle  and 
another  glass  towards  the  new  mate. 

Graines  covered  the  lower  part  of  the  glass  with 
his  hand,  and  poured  a  few  drops  into  it.  Putting 
some  water  with  it  from  the  pitcher,  he  raised  the 
tumbler  in  imitation  of  the  captain. 

"  Here's  success  to  the   risfht  side,"    added  the 


94  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

master,  as  he  drank  off  the  contents  of  the 
glass. 

"  I  drink  that  toast  with  all  my  mind,  heart,  and 
soul,"  added  the  engineer,  with  decided  emphasis, 
though  he  knew  that  "  the  right  side  "  did  not 
always  convey  the  same  idea. 

"  Help  yourself,  Mr.  —  I've  forgot  your  name. 
Second  Mate,"  he  added  as  he  moved  towards  the 
companion  ladder. 

"  Jerry  Sandman,  sir,  and  I  will  help  myself  to 
what  I  want,"  replied  Christy. 

"  That's  right,  Mr.  Sandman ;  make  yourself  at 
home  in  this  cabin.  I  must  go  on  deck  and  take  a 
look  at  the  Tallahatchie,"  added  the  master  as  he 
went  up  the  ladder,  followed  by  Graines. 

The  lieutenant  helped  himself  to  a  glass  of  water, 
after  rinsing  the  tumbler,  for  that  was  what  he 
wanted.  Sopsy  the  cook  immediately  appeared, 
bearing  a  tray  on  which  were  several  dishes  of 
eatables,  bread  and  ham  being  the  principal.  The 
bottle  was  in  his  way ;  and  after  he  had  drunk  off 
half  a  tumblerful  of  its  contents,  he  removed  it 
to  the  pantry.     He  proceeded  to  set  the  table. 

"  Oft  in  der  chizzly  night,  'fore  slumber's  yoke 
hab  tooken  me,"  hummed  Sopsy  as  he  worked  at 
the  table. 


ON   BOARD   OF   THE   COTTON   SCHOONER        95 

"Where  is  this  schooner  bound,  Sopsy?"  asked 
Christy. 

"  Bound  to  dat  boon  whar  no  trab'ler  returns," 
replied  the  cook,  pausing  in  his  occupation  and 
staring  the  second  mate  full  in  the  face. 

"  That  bourn  is  Nassau,  I  reckon,"  laughed  the 
lieutenant. 

"I  s'pose  she's  gwine  dar  if  she  don't  go  to  dat 
boon  where  no  trab'lers  come  back  agin,"  answered 
Sopsy  seriously.  "  Be  you  Meth'dis'  o'  Bab'tis', 
Massa  Mate  ?  " 

"  Both,  Sopsy." 

"  Can't  be  bof,  Massa." 

"  Then  I'm  either  one  you  like." 

"That  ain't  right,  Massa  Secon'  Mate,  '  cordin' 
as  you  was  brung  up,"  said  the  cook,  shaking  his 
head  violently,  as  though  he  utterly  disapproved  of 
the  mate's  theology. 

"I'm  a  theosophist,  Sopsy." 

"  A  seehossofist !  "  exclaimed  the  cook,  dropping 
a  plate  in  his  astonishment.  "  We  don't  hab  none 
o'  dem  on  shore  in  de  Souf.  I  reckon  dey  libs  in 
de  water." 

"  No ;  they  live  on  the  mountains." 

"We  hain't  got  no   mount'ns   down   here,  and 


96  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

dat's  de  reason  we  don't  liab  none  on  'em,"  added 
Sopsy  as  he  went  to  the  pantry ;  but  presently 
returned  with  a  plate  of  pickles  in  one  hand  and 
the  whiskey  bottle  in  the  other.  "  Does  dem  sea- 
hosses  drink  whiskey,  Massa  Secon'  ]\Iate  ?  " 

"  They  never  drink  a  drop  of  it." 

"  Dis  colored  pusson  ain't  no  sea-hoss,  and  he  do 
drink  whiskey  when  he  kin  git  it,"  added  the 
cook ;  and  he  half  filled  a  tumbler  with  the  con- 
tents of  the  bottle,  and  drank  it  off  at  a  single 
gulp. 

He  had  hardly  placed  it  on  the  table  in  the 
middle  of  the  dishes  before  the  captain  came  below. 
His  first  step  was  to  take  a  liberal  potation  from 
the  bottle.  As  he  raised  it  to  the  swinging  lamp, 
he  discovered  that  the  fluid  had  been  freely  ex- 
pended in  his  absence. 

"You've  punished  this  bottle  all  it  deserves,"  said 
he  when  he  perceived  that  its  level  had  been  con- 
siderably lowered,  and  he  did  not  ask  the  new  offi- 
cer to  join  him.  "  That's  all  right,  Mr.  Sandman  ; 
but  I  don't  want  you  to  take  more  than  you  can 
manage  to-night,  for  we  have  a  big  job  on  our  hands, 
and  we  want  our  heads  where  we  shall  be  able  to 
find  them.     Now  go  on  deck,  and  learn  what  you 


ON   BOARD   OF   THE  COTTON   SCHOONER        97 

can  about  the  vessel,  for  we  hain't  got  but  half  an 
hour  more  before  the  Tallahatchie  goes  to  sea.  We 
may  have  lots  of  music  after  we  get  outside  ;  but 
I  reckon  our  steamer  can  outsail  anything  the 
Yankees  have  got  on  the  blockade.  Don't  drink 
no  more,  Mr.  Sandman  ;  and  when  we  git  to  Nassau 
you  can  have  a  reg'lar  blowout." 

"  I  won't  touch  another  drop  before  we  get  out 
of  the  bay,  Cap'n  Sullendine,"  protested  Christy, 
without  betraying  the  misdemeanor  of  the  cook,  as 
doubtless  it  was. 

"  That's  right,  Mr.  Sandman;  we  must  all  have 
our  heads  on  our  shoulders  to-night,"  said  the 
captain,  as  he  drank  oif  the  potion  he  had  prepared. 

Christy  wished  to  hold  the  commander  to  his 
own  advice ;  but  that  would  have  been  fighting  on 
the  wrong  side  for  him,  and  Sopsy  escaped  a  repri- 
mand, if  not  a  kick  or  two,  by  his  forbearance.  By 
this  time  the  bottle  was  nearly  empty ;  but  the 
skipper  put  it  under  lock  and  key  in  a  closet, 
which  seemed  to  be  well  filled  with  others  like  it. 
Christy  went  on  deck,  in  obedience  to  the  order 
he  had  received,  and  found  the  engineer  on  the 
quarter-deck  buried  in  the  fog,  which  was  just 
then  more  dense  than  at  any  time  before. 


98  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  The   captain's   pretty  well  set  '  up,'  isn't   he 
Christy  ?  "  said  Graines  in  a  low  tone. 

"About  half  seas  over;  but  he  knows  what  he 
is  about,  though  he  took  another  lieavy  potion  just 
now,"  replied  the  lieutenant. 

"All  right;  I  think  we  can  manage  this  craft 
very  well  without  him,"  added  Graines  with  a 
smile,  which  could  not  be  seen  in  the  darkness. 

But  the  conversation  was  interrupted  at  this 
point  by  the  appearance  of  the  cook,  whose  legs 
were  more  tangled  up  by  his  tipples  than  his 
master's.  He  delivered  the  request  of  Captain 
Sullendine  that  they  should  come  into  the  cabin, 
and  partake  of  the  lunch  which  had  been  set  out 
for  them.  As  they  moved  towards  the  companion, 
they  saw  Sopsy  creep  over  to  the  alley  where  Bokes 
had  been  sleeping,  and  take  up  the  bottle  of  apple- 
jack Christy  had  given  him,  and  drink  from  it.  It 
was  evident  to  them  that  the  cook  could  not  be 
much  longer  in  condition  for  any  duty. 

The  two  mates  went  below  as  invited,  and  found 
the  captain  at  the  table.  He  had  brought  out  the 
bottle  of  whiskey,  and  was  eating  of  the  dishes 
before  him,  but  plaiidy  with  little  relish, 

"Have  another  little   drink,  Mr.  Balker;   but  I 


■       ON   BOARD    OF   THE    COTTON    SCHOONER        99 

think  Mr.  Sandman  had  better  not  take  any  more," 
said  the  master,  whose  speech  was  rather  thick  by 
this  time. 

"  Thank  you,  Captain  Sullendine ;  I  will  do  a 
little  in  that  way,  for  we  are  likely  to  have  a  very 
damp  night  of  it,"  replied  Graines,  as  he  helped 
himself,  though  he  did  not  take  ten  drops. 

"A  little  does  one  good;  but  it  don't  do  to  take 
too  much  when,  we  have  very  important  business 
on  our  hands.  After  that  one,  Mr.  Balker,  I  ad- 
vise you  not  to  take  any  more  till  we  get  clear  of 
the  blockaders,"  added  the  skipper,  as  he  emptied 
the  bottle  into  his  glass. 

The  ham  on  the  table  was  of  excellent  quality, 
and  the  two  mates  ate  heartily  of  it,  with  the  ship- 
bread.  The  last  dose  the  captain  had  taken  ap- 
peared to  cap  the  climax,  and  he  could  no  longer 
eat,  or  talk  so  as  to  be  clearly  understood.  When 
the  mates  had  finished  their  lunch,  they  saw  that 
the  skipper  had  dropped  asleep  in  his  chair.  They 
rose  from  their  places,  and  rattled  the  stools.  The 
noise  roused  the  sleeper,  and  he  sprang  to  his  feet 
with  a  violent  start. 

"  What's  time'z  it,  Mr.  Zbalker  ?  "  he  demanded, 
catching  hold  of  the  table  to  avoid  falling  on  the 
cabin  floor. 


100  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

He  seemed  to  be  tionscioiis  that  he  was  not  pre- 
senting a  perfectly  regular  appearance  to  his  new 
officers ;  and  he  dropped  into  his  chair,  making  a 
ludicrous  effort  to  stiffen  his  muscles  and  put  on 
his  dignity,  but  it  was  a  failure. 

"  Quarter-past  two.  Captain  Sullendine,"  replied 
Graines  in  answer  to  the  question. 

"  Most  an  hour  more  'fore  we  git  started,"  stam- 
mered the  invalid.  "  I  didn't  sleep  none  last  night, 
I'm  sleepy.  I'm  go'n  to  turn  in  for  half  an  hour, 
'n  then  I'll  be  on  deck  ready  for  busi —  ready  for 
buzness." 

Graines  assisted  him  to  his  stateroom,  for  he 
could  not  walk,  and  he  was  afraid  he  would  fall 
and  hurt  himself.  He  helped  him  into  his  berth, 
and  arranged  him  so  that  he  could  sleep  it  off,  and 
he  did  not  care  if  he  did  not  do  so  before  the  next 
day.  He  waited  till  he  had  dropped  off  into  a  deep 
slumber,  and  then  joined  Christy  in  the  cabin. 

"  If  I  had  not  been  a  temperance  man  before, 
I  should  be  now,"  said  the  lieutenant.  "  It  is  just 
as  well  that  the  captain  is  clean  over  the  bay,  for 
we  miofht  have  been  obliged  to  shoot  him  if  he  had 
been  sober." 

"  But  we   could  have   taken  possession  of   the 


ON   BOARD   OF   THE   COTTON    SCHOONER      101 

vessel  in  spite  of  him,  if  the  steamer  had  not  in- 
terfered," replied  Graines,  as  he  led  the  way  to  the 
deck,  "I  don't  see  that  we  have  anything  to  do 
but  wait  for  the  moving  of  the  waters,  or  for  the 
moving  of  the  steamer.  I  suppose  our  men  are  all 
right  forward." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  of  it,  though  I  have  not  seen 
them  lately.  I  gave  one  of  the  bottles  of  apple- 
jack the  captain  sent  forward  for  them  to  Bokes, 
and  poured  the  contents  of  the  other  into  Mobile 
Bay.  I  think  we  had  better  go  forward  and  look 
the  vessel  over,"  said  Christy. 

They  had  gone  but  a  few  steps  before  they  stum- 
bled over  the  body  of  Sopsy,  Avho  had  evidently 
succumbed  to  the  quantity  of  firewater  he  had  con- 
sumed. He  had  assisted  Bokes  to  empty  the  bottle 
given  to  him,  and  both  of  them  were  too  far  gone 
to  give  an  alarm  if  they  discovered  at  any  time 
that  something  was  wrong  about  the  movements 
of  the  West  Wind. 

They  found  the  Belleviters  lounging  about  on 
the  cotton  bales,  some  of  them  asleep,  and  others 
carrying  on  a  conversation  in  a  low  tone.  They 
were  glad  to  see  their  officers,  who  told  them  the 
time  for  some  sort  of  action  was  rapidly  approach- 


102  A    VICTORIOUS    UNION 

ing.  Then  tliey  went  to  the  bow  of  the  vessel, 
where  they  found  that  she  was  anchored,  though 
the  chain  had  been  hove  short.  The  hawser  by 
which  she  was  to  be  towed  to  sea  was  made  fast 
to  the  bowsprit  bitts,  and  led  to  the  stern  of  the 
steamer,  where  it  was  doubtless  properly  secured. 

While  they  were  looking  over  the  bow,  a  boat 
approached  from  the  Tallahatchie,  and  an  officer 
hailed,  asking  for  Caj)tain  Sullendine. 

"  He  is  in  the  cabin;  I  am  the  mate,"  replied  the 
engineer,  "and  the  captain  has  shipped  a  new  crew, 
we  are  all  right  now." 

"Weigh  your  anchor  at  three  short  whistles," 
added  the  officer. 

"  Understood,  and  all  right,"  said  the  new  mate. 

The  boat  pulled  back  to  the  steamer. 


THE    DEPAliTUliE    OF    THE    TALLAHATCHIE  103 


CHAPTER   IX 

THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  TALLAHATCHIE 

The  fog,  which  had  been  coming  and  going  dur- 
ing the  whole  of  the  night,  had  now  lifted  so  that 
everything  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort  could  be 
seen ;  but  across  the  point,  down  the  ship  channel, 
it  was  dense,  dark,  and  black.  The  wind  was  fresh 
from  the  south-west,  which  rolled  uj)  the  fog  banks, 
and  then  rolled  them  away.  Such  was  the  atmos- 
pheric condition  near  Mobile  Point,  and  Christy 
believed  it  was  the  same  at  the  southward.  He 
thought  it  probable  that  the  commander  of  the  Tal- 
lahatchie would  wait  for  a  more  favorable  time  than 
the  present  appeared  to  be  before  he  got  under  way. 

"  All  hands  to  the  forecastle,"  he  called  to  the 
men  on  the  cotton  bales. 

All  of  them,  knoAving  his  voice  as  well  as  they 
knew  their  own  names,  hastened  to  answer  to  the 
call. 

"  We  have  to  heave  up  the  anchor  with  a  wind- 
lass, Mr.  Graines,"  said  he  to  the  engineer.     "  We 


104  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

had  better  get  the  hang  of  it  while  we  have  time 
to  do  so.     Ship  the  handspikes,  my  men." 

Doubtless  all  of  them  had  worked  a  windlass 
before,  for  every  one  of  them  was  an  able  seaman, 
which  had  been  one  of  the  elements  in  their  se- 
lection, and  they  went  to  work  very  handily.  A 
turn  or  two  was  given,  which  started  the  vessel 
ahead,  showing  that  the  anchor  was  not  hove  en- 
tirely short.  Graines  went  to  the  bow,  and  re- 
ported a  considerable  slant  of  the  cable  with  the 
surface  of  the  water.  Christy  ordered  the  six  sea- 
men to  work  the  windlass,  with  French  to  take  in 
the  slack.  They  continued  to  heave  over  with  the 
handspikes  for  some  time  longer. 

"  Cable  up  and  down,  sir,"  reported  Graines. 

"Avast  heaving!"  added  the  lieutenant;  and 
he  had  taken  the  command,  paying  no  attention  to 
the  fact  that  he  was  the  second  mate  under  the 
new  order  of  things,  and  the  engineer  did  not  re- 
mind him  that  he  was  the  chief  officer.  "  Let  off 
the  cable  a  couple  of  notches,  so  that  the  anchor 
will  not  break  out.  Make  fast  to  the  bitts, 
French,  but  don't  foul  it  with  the  towline." 

"We  are  all  right  now,"  said  Graines,  as  he 
moved  aft  from  the  heel  of  the  bowsprit. 


THE   DEPArvTURE    OF    THE   TALLAHATCHIE    105 

What  time  is  it  now?"  asked  the  lieutenant. 
"  Bring  that  lantern  forward,  Lines." 

"  Ten  minutes  of  three,"  replied  the  engineer, 
holding  his  watch  up  to  the  light. 

"  The  fog  is  settling  down  again,  and  I  have  no 
douLt  the  captain  of  the  steamer  will  get  under 
way  at  about  the  hour  named,"  said  Christy,  put- 
ting his  hand  on  the  wire  towline,  and  giving  it  a 
shake,  to  assure  himself  that  it  was  all  clear. 
"  Now,  Mr.  Graines,  or  rather,  ]\Ir.  Balker,  as  you 
are  the  mate  and  I  am  only  the  second  mate,  I 
think  you  had  better  go  aft  and  see  that  all  goes 
well  there." 

"Very  well,  Mr.  Sandman;  I  will  leave  you  in 
charge  of  the  forecastle,"  replied  the  engineer, 
with  a  light  laugh ;  but  they  had  been  boys  to- 
gether, and  understood  each  other  perfectly. 

"  Captain  Sullendine  is  the  only  dangerous  man 
on  board,  and  I  think  you  had  better  look  after 
him,"  added  Christy.  "  If  there  is  any  lock  on 
the  door  of  his  stateroom,  it  would  be  well  to  turn 
the  key." 

"  I  will  look  after  him  at  once,  sir,"  answered 
Graines,  as  he  leaped  upon  the  cotton  bales  and 
made  his  way  to  the  quarter-deck. 


106  A  VICTOllIOUS   UNION 

On  the  way  lie  examined  the  condition  of  Sopsy, 
and  found  liim  snoring  like  a  roaring  lion,  in  an 
uneasy  position.  He  turned  him  over  on  his  side, 
and  then  went  to  the  lair  of  Bokes,  who  was  in 
the  same  condition ;  and  he  concluded  that  neither 
of  them  would  come  to  his  senses  for  a  couple  of 
hours  at  least. 

Captain  Sullendine  had  been  assisted  to  a  com- 
fortable position  when  he  turned  in,  and  he  was 
sleeping  with  nothing  to  disturb  him.  There  was 
no  lock  on  the  door,  and  Graines  could  not  turn 
the  key.  The  interior  of  the  cabin  was  finished  in 
the  most  primitive  manner,  for  the  vessel  had  not 
been  built  to  accommodate  passengers.  The  door 
of  the  captain's  stateroom  was  made  of  inch  and  a 
half  boards,  with  three  battens,  and  the  handle  was 
an  old-fashioned  boAV-latch.  There  was  a  heavy 
bolt  on  the  inside,  as  though  the  apartment  had 
been  built  to  enable  the  master  to  fortify  himself 
in  case  of  a  mutiny. 

The  engineer  could  not  fasten  the  door  with  any 
of  the  fixtures  on  it ;  but  it  opened  inward,  as  is 
generally  the  case  on  shipboard,  and  this  fact  sug- 
gested to  the  ingenious  officer  the  means  of  secur- 
ing it  even  more  effectually  tlian  it  could  have 


THE    DEPARTURE    OF    THE   TALLAHATCHIE     107 

been  done  with  a  lock  and  key.  In  the  pantry  he 
found  a  rolling-pin,  which  the  cook  must  have  left 
there  for  some  other  purpose. 

This  implement  he  ajjplied  to  the  bow-handle  of 
the  fixture  on  the  door.  It  would  not  fit  the  iron 
loop,  but  he  whittled  it  down  on  one  side  with  his 
pocket-knife  till  he  made  it  fit  exactly  in  its  place 
with  some  hard  pressure.  But  shaking  the  door 
might  cause  it  to  drop  out,  and  he  completed  the 
job  by  lashing  it  to  the  handle  of  the  door  with  a 
lanyard  he  had  in  his  pocket.  When  he  liad  fin- 
ished his  work  he  was  confident  the  captain  could 
not  get  out  of  his  room  unless  he  broke  down  the 
door,  which  he  lacked  the  means  to  accomplish. 

"  West  Wind,  ahoy  !  "  shouted  some  one  from 
the  stern  of  the  steamer  before  the  ensrineer  had 
completed  his  work  in  the  cabin. 

Christy  thought  that  French's  voice  was  a  better 
imitation  of  Captain  Sullendine's  than  his  own, 
and  he  directed  him  to  reply  to  the  hail,  telling 
him  what  to  say. 

"  On  board  the  Tallahatchie  ! "  returned  the 
seaman  at  the  lieutenant's  dictation. 

"  Are  you  all  ready?  "  sliouted  the  same  officer. 

"  All  ready,  sir  !  "  replied  French. 


108  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  Captain  Rombold  will  get  under  way  in  five 
minutes ! "  called  the  speaker  on  the  stern  of  the 
steamer.  "Wait  for  three  short  whistles,  and 
then  heave  up  your  anchor !  " 

"  Understood,  and  all  right,"  added  the  spokes- 
man of  the  West  Wind. 

"  Captain  Rombold !  "  exclaimed  Christy  to  him- 
self, as  he  heard  for  the  first  time  the  name  of  the 
commander  of  the  Tallahatchie. 

The  lieutenant,  acting  as  the  servant  of  the 
French  detective  at  St.  George's  in  the  Bermudas, 
had  seen  Captain  Rombold,  and  had  heard  him 
converse  for  an  hour  with  Mr.  Gilfleur,  when  he 
was  in  command  of  the  Dornoch,  which  had  been 
captured  by  the  Chataugay,  on  board  of  which 
Christy  was  a  passenger.  He  was  known  to  be 
a  very  able  and  brave  officer,  and  his  defeat  was 
owing  more  to  the  heavier  metal  of  the  loyal  ship 
than  to  any  lack  of  skill  or  courage  on  the  part  of 
the  Confederate  commander.  The  last  the  young 
officer  knew  about  him,  he  was  a  prisoner  of  war 
in  New  York,  and  had  doubtless  been  exchanged 
for  some  loyal  officer  of  equal  rank,  for  the  enemy 
had  plenty  of  them  on  hand. 

"  Man  the  windlass,  my  lads,"  said  Christy  in  a 


THE  DEPARTURE   OF   THE   TALLAHATCHIE      109 

quiet  tone,  though  he  Avas  still  thinking  of  the 
commander  of  the  steamer  which  was  to  tow  out 
the  schooner. 

While  he  was  waiting  for  the  three  short  whistles, 
Graines  came  forward  and  reported  in  what  man- 
ner he  had  secured  the  captain,  and  that  the  two 
men  on  the  cotton  bales  were  still  insensible. 

"  You  may  be  sure  the  captain  will  not  come 
out  of  his  stateroom  until  we  let  him  out,"  added 
the  engineer ;  and  Christy  proceeded  to  explain 
what  had  passed  between  the  schooner  and  the 
steamer. 

"  The  Tallahatchie  has  one  of  the  ablest  com- 
manders that  sail  the  ocean,  for  I  have  seen  and 
know  him," continued  the  lieutenant.  "It  is  Cap- 
tain Rombold,  now  or  formerly,  of  the  British  Navy. 
He  is  a  gentleman  and  a  scholar,  as  well  as  a  brave 
and  skilful  officer." 

"  Then  Captain  Breaker  may  have  his  hands  full 
before  he  captures  the  steamer,"  added  the  engi- 
neer. 

"  He  certainly  will ;  but  a  great  deal  depends 
upon  the  weight  of  the  Tallahatchie's  metal." 

"  We  shall  soon  have  a  chance  to  judge  of  that." 

"  I  should  like  to  know  somethincf  more  about 


110  A   VICTOllIOUS   UNION 

this  steamer,  though  my  father's  letter  gives  us 
the  principal  details  ;  but  we  have  no  time  now  to 
examine  her,"  continued  Christy. 

"Who's  that?"  demanded  Graines,  as  he  saw 
a  man  walking  forward  over  the  bales  of  cotton. 

It  proved  to  be  Bokes,  who  had  slept  off  a  part 
of  the  effects  of  the  debauch  ;  but  Sopsy  had  prob- 
ably consumed  a  large  portion  of  the  contents  of 
his  bottle. 

"  Does  you  uns  happen  to  have  any  more  apple- 
jack ?  "  asked  the  fellow.  "Somehow  I  lost  nigh 
all  o'  mine,  and  I'm  sufferin',  dyin'  for  a  drink." 

"  French,  take  him  to  the  deck-liouse,  and  fasten 
him  in,"  said  Christy  in  a  low  tone. 

"  Come  with  me,  my  hearty,  and  we'll  see  what 
there  is  in  the  deck-house,"  said  the  seaman,  as  he 
took  the  man  by  the  arm  and  led  him  to  the  j^lace 
indicated.  "  Now  go  in  and  find  your  bunk.  Get 
into  it,  and  I  will  look  for  a  bottle  here." 

Bokes  crept  to  his  bunk,  and  stretched  himself 
out  there.  French  took  the  bottle  the  lieutenant 
had  emptied  into  the  bay,  and  gave  it  to  liini. 
Then  he  closed  the  door,  and  finding  a  padlock 
and  hasp  on  it,  he  locked  him  in.  Two  of  the 
three  men  who  had  remained   on    board   of  the 


DoWSK    TltAT    CLINr    IN    VI  H'R    Fi  >'CAS  ILK."       Page    III. 


THE   DEPAETUEE    OF    THE   TALLAHATCHIE      111 

schooner  were  now  prisoners  ;  and  Sopsy  was  con- 
sidered as  harmless  as  a  fishworm. 

French  had  hardly  reported  what  he  had  done 
before  the  three  short  whistles  were  sounded,  and 
Christy  gave  the  order  to  heave  np  the  anchor. 

"  West  Wind,  ahoy  !  "  shouted  the  same  officer 
who  had  spoken  before. 

"On  board  the  steamer!"  replied  French,  when 
he  was  directed  to  reply. 

"  Dowse  that  glim  on  your  fo'castle  !  "  shouted 
the  officer,  as  with  a  liberal  dose  of  profanity  he 
demanded  if  they  were  all  fools  on  board  of  the 
schooner.     "  Put  out  every  light  on  board!  " 

"  Ay,  ay,  sir  !  "  responded  French,  as  Graines 
extinguished  the  lantern  on  the  forecastle  ;  and 
Christy  directed  him  to  do  the  same  with  the  cabin 
lamp. 

He  looked  at  his  watch  before  he  put  it  out,  and 
found  it  was  quarter-past  three.  The  captain  of 
the  steamer  had  evidently  waited  for  a  favorable 
moment  to  start  on  his  perilous  voyage,  and  the 
engineer  noticed  when  he  went  forward  after  he 
had  secured  Captain  Sullendine,  that  the  fog  was 
again  settling  down  on  the  bay. 

"  On  board  the  steamer  !  "  shouted  French,  as 


112  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

directed.  "  Anchor  aweigli,  sir  !  "  Then  a  minute 
hiter,  "  All  clear,  and  the  towline  slack ! " 

From  the  sounds  that  came  from  the  forward 
part  of  the  steamer,  it  was  evident  that  she  had 
heaved  up  her  anchor  before  she  gave  the  three 
whistles  for  the  schooner  to  do  so. 

"  West  Wind,  ahoy  !  "  called  the  officer  from  the 
Tallahatchie.  "  Stand  by  your  helm  with  your 
best  man  !  " 

Graines  had  just  gone  aft,  and  had  taken  the 
wheel  of  the  vessel ;  but  Christy  sent  French  to 
take  his  first  trick  at  the  helm.  The  tide  was  still 
setting  into  the  bay,  and  it  was  within  half  an 
hour  of  the  flood.  The  schooner  was  beginning 
to  sway  off  from  tlie  shore  as  the  tide  struck  her, 
when  the  gong  bell  in  the  engine-room  of  the 
steamer  was  heard.  She  went  ahead  very  slowly, 
and  straightened  the  towline.  Christy  took  a 
careful  survey  of  its  fastenings,  to  assure  himself 
that  it  was  all  right,  and  then  mounted  the  cotton 
bales,  to  observe  the  progress  of  the  vessel. 

Of  course  the  steamer  was  under  the  direction 
of  a  skilful  pilot,  doubtless  the  best  that  could  be 
had,  for  the  present  venture  was  an  exceedingly 
important   one    to    the    Confederate    cause.     The 


THE  DEPARTURE  OF  THE  TALLAHATCHIE   113 

Tallahatchie  was  perhaps  a  better  vessel  than  any 
of  those  which  had  done  so  much  mischief  amongf 
the  ships  of  the  loyal  American  marine,  and  in  no 
manner  could  the  Southern  cause  be  more  effect- 
ually assisted  than  by  these  cruisers. 

As  the  vessels  headed  to  the  southward,  Christy 
went  to  the  binnacle,  and  watched  the  course. 


114       THE   CASTING   OFF   OF   THE   TOWLINE 


CHAPTER  X 

THE   CASTING   OFF   OF   THE   TOWLINE 

Christy  Passfoed  had  been  through  this 
channel  at  least  half  a  dozen  times  in  the  Bellevite, 
and  knew  all  the  courses  and  bearings,  though  the 
latter  did  not  count  in  the  dense  fog  which  had 
settled  down  on  the  vicinity  of  the  fort.  The 
lights  in  the  binnacle  of  the  West  Wind  had  not 
been  put  out,  though  they  could  not  be  noticed 
outside  of  the  schooner.  The  great  fortress  could 
not  be  seen,  and  it  was  as  silent  as  a  tomb. 

"  How  does  she  head,  Christy  ?  "  asked  Graines, 
as  they  met  at  the  wheel. 

"  South  a  quarter  west,"  replied  the  lieutenant, 
"  which  is  the  correct  course.  The  fog  is  very 
dense  just  now.  I  think  we  have  passed  the  ob- 
structions by  this  time,  though  I  do  not  know 
precisely  where  they  are  placed." 

"I  should  call  it  mighty  ticklish  navigation  just 
here,"  added  the  engineer. 

"It  is  all  of  that,  or  will  be  in  five  or  ten  min- 


THE   CASTING   OFF   OF   THE   TOWLINE         115 

utes  more.  Sand  Island  Lighthouse  is  not  more 
than  a  quarter  of  a  mile  from  the  middle  of  the 
channel,  and  at  that  point  the  course  changes. 
Perhaps  the  pilot  can  make  out  the  lighthouse  in 
the  fogf.  If  he  don't  he  Avill  run  into  five  or  six 
feet  of  water  in  a  few  minutes,  out  of  eight  fathoms 
or  more." 

"  I  suppose  you  are  prepared  to  let  go  the  tow- 
line  if  anything  goes  wrong,  Mr.  Passford?" 
added  the  engineer,  perhaps  as  a  suggestion  rather 
than  as  a  question. 

"  I  hope  it  will  not  come  to  that,  for  the  schooner 
might  get  aground  on  the  Knoll  before  we  could 
make  sail,"  replied  Christy. 

"  The  steamer  has  shifted  her  helm,"  said  Graines, 
to  the  great  relief  of  the  lieutenant.  "  The  fog  is 
lifting  again,  and  the  pilot  must  have  seen  the 
lighthouse.  We  are  headed  more  to  the  eastward 
now." 

"  The  course  is  south  by  west,  three-quarters 
west,  when  the  lighthouse  bears  west  by  south. 
We  are  out  of  the  woods  now,  and  there  will  be 
no  trouble  at  all  till  some  blockader  stirs  up  the 
waters,"  said  Christ3\ 

"  I  wonder  Avhere    the    Bellevite  is   just   now," 


116  A   VICTOKIOUS   UNION 

added  Graines,  as  lie  looked  all  about  him  as  the 
fog  lifted  a  little  more,  though  it  was  still  too 
thick  to  make  out  any  vessel,  if  there  were  any 
near. 

"  If  my  messenger  reached  the  ship  in  time,  she 
will  be  found  somewhere  near  the  channel,"  re- 
plied Christy.  "  Call  Lines,  if  you  please,  Mr. 
Graines. " 

The  seaman  presently  appeared;  and  the  lieu- 
tenant directed  him  to  take  the  wheel,  French  in- 
structing him  how  to  keep  the  vessel  in  line  with 
the  steamer. 

"I  believe  you  have  sailed  a  schooner,  French," 
said  Christy,  when  he  had  taken  the  man  to  the 
quarter. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  I  was  mate  of  a  coaster  for  three 
years,  and  I  should  have  become  master  of  her  if 
the  war  had  not  come,  and  I  felt  that  I  ought  to 
go  into  the  navy,  though  I  haven't  got  ahead 
much  yet,  as  I  expected  I  should ;  but  I  am  satis- 
fied to  fight  for  my  country  where  I  am." 

"  That  is  patriotic ;  and  I  hope  a  higher  position 
will  be  found  for  you.  But  we  have  not  time  to 
talk  about  that  now,"  continued  Christy.  "It may 
be  necessary  or  advisable  for  Mr.  Graines  and  my- 


THE   CASTING   OFF   OF   THE   TOWLINE         117 

self  to  leave  the  West  Wind  at  any  moment  now. 
In  that  case  I  shall  place  this  vessel  in  your 
charge,  and  you  will  take  her  off  \A'here  the  Belle- 
vite  was  moored  last  night,  and  come  to  anchor." 

"  Thank  you,  sir ;  and  I  will  endeavor  to  do 
my  duty  faithfully,"  replied  French,  touching  his 
cap. 

"  Now  call  the  men  aft,  and  I  will  explain  the 
matter  to  them." 

The  lieutenant  explained  the  situation,  and  di- 
rected the  other  five  seamen  to  respect  and  obey 
the  man  he  had  selected  as  captain.  Then  he  di- 
rected French  to  cast  off  the  stops  from  the  fore- 
sail and  mainsail,  and  have  the  jib  and  flying-jib 
ready  to  set  at  a  moment's  notice. 

"  I  don't  think  Captain  Sullendine  can  get  out 
of  his  stateroom,  where  he  has  been  confined,  or 
Bokes  out  of  the  deck-house ;  but  if  either  of  them 
should  do  so,  you  must  secure  them  as  you  think 
best,"  continued  Christy.  "Do  you  fully  under- 
stand your  orders,  French  ?  " 

"Perfectly,  Mr.  Passford;  and  I  will  do  my  duty 
as  well  as  I  know  how,"  answered  the  able  seaman, 
who,  like  many  others  in  the  service,  deserved  a 
better  position. 


118  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

The  new  officer  and  crew  went  to  work  on  the 
sails,  and  in  a  few  minutes  they  were  ready  to  be 
set.  Another  bank  of  fog  was  rolling  up,  in  which 
the  two  vessels  would  soon  be  involved.  But  the 
Tallahatchie  was  in  a  position  where  it  was  plain 
sailing  now,  and  her  future  troubles  would  all 
come  from  the  blockaders. 

"  There  you  are  !  "  exclaimed  the  engineer,  as 
the  peal  of  a  gun  boomed  over  the  water  from  the 
westward.  "  The  steamer  has  been  seen  by  a  block- 
ader,  and  she  will  catch  it  now." 

"  I  don't  believe  that  was  one  of  the  Bellevite's 
guns,"  added  Christy.  "  Ca2;)tain  Breaker  would 
not  take  a  position  over  to  the  westward,  for  that 
would  give  him  the  outside  track,  and  he  always 
goes  at  anything  by  the  shortest  way." 

"We  have  the  fog  again  for  the  next  ten  or 
fifteen  minutes.  The  blockader  that  fired  that 
shot  must  have  got  a  sight  at  the  steamer,  and  she 
is  still  pegging  away  at  her.  We  may  get  knocked 
over  by  our  own  guns,"  continued  Graines. 

"  There  is  no  danger  at  present.  She  can't  hit 
anything  in  this  fog  except  by  a  chance  shot." 

"And  one  of  them  sometimes  does  the  most 
mischief.     The  fog  is  heavier  just  now  than  it  has 


THE   CASTING    OFF   OF    THE   TOWLTNE         119 

been  at  cany  time  during  the  night.  I  can't  see  the 
Tallahatchie  just  now." 

"  It  is  blacker  than  a  stack  of  blackbirds," 
added  Christy.  "  I  am  confident  that  we  are  at 
least  a  mile  south  of  the  lighthouse,  and  we  will 
take  advantage  of  the  gloom  to  hoist  the  mainsail, 
and  then  the  foresail  if  it  holds  as  it  is  now ; "  and 
he  gave  the  order  to  French,  who  was  assisted  by 
the  engineer  in  the  work. 

The  lieutenant  took  the  wheel,  and  sent  Lines 
to  assist  the  others.  The  blockader  to  the  west- 
ward continued  to  discharge  lier  guns ;  but  her  peo- 
ple could  see  nothing,  and  her  solid  shot  began  to 
fall  astern  of  the  West  Wind,  and  the  Tallahatchie 
took  no  notice  of  her  or  her  guns.  Christy  saw 
that  the  fog  was  lifting  again,  and  this  would 
reveal  to  the  steamer  ahead  what  he  had  been 
doing.  Besides,  he  had  gone  in  tow  as  long  as  he 
intended.     Graines  reported  the  two  sails  as  set. 

"Stand  by  to  hoist  the  jib!"  he  shouted, 
deeming  it  no  longer  necessary  to  conceal  his 
movements. 

"What  are  you  doing  there?"  demanded  the 
officer,  who  seemed  to  be  in  charge  of  the  after  part 
of   the  steamer;  and  his  tones,  with  the  flood  of 


120  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

profanity  he  poured  out,  indicated  tliat  he  was  in 
a  violent  fit  of  anger. 

"I  reckon  we  won't  tow  any  farther,"  replied 
Christy,  who  was  still  at  the  wheel,  and  the  officer 
yelled  loud  enough  for  him  to  hear  at  the  helm ; 
but  French  repeated  his  answer. 

"All  ready  to  hoist  the  jib,"  Graines  reported. 

"  Cast  off  the  towline  !  "  shouted  Christy  at  the 
top  of  his  lungs.     "  Hoist  the  jib !  " 

"  Towline  all  clear !  "  called  the  engineer  a  mo- 
ment later,  and  the  jib  went  up  in  a  hurry. 

The  jib  filled  on  the  starboard  tack,  and  the 
West  Wind  went  off  to  the  south-east  as  Christy 
put  up  the  helm.  The  fog  lifted  just  enough  to 
enable  the  officer  at  the  stern  of  the  steamer  to  see 
the  West  Wind  as  she  went  off  on  her  new  course. 
No  one  on  the  former  could  have  suspected  that 
the  latter  had  changed  hands ;  for  French  had 
answered  for  Captain  SuUendine  every  time  a 
call  was  made,  and  his  voice  was  not  unlike  that 
of  the  master  of  the  schooner. 

Christy  could  not  understand  why  the  officer 
M' ho  used  so  many  expletives  should  be  dissatisfied, 
for  the  Tallahatchie  could  certainly  make  better 
time  when  no  longer  encumbered  by  the  towing  of 


THE   CASTING   OFF   OF   THE   TOW  LINE         121 

the  West  Wind.  But  it  must  look  to  him  just 
as  though  the  schooner  would  be  captured  by  the 
steamer  to  the  westward,  which  had  been  uselessly 
firino-  at  the  blockade-runners  in  the  densest  of  the 
fog.  He  could  not  help  seeing  that  the  vessel  in 
tow  had  set  her  sails,  and  therefore  the  casting  off 
of  the  wire  rope  could  not  have  been  caused  by  an 
accident. 

The  action  of  the  captain  of  the  schooner,  for 
they  had  no  reason  to  suppose  the  change  on  board 
of  the  schooner  was  not  made  by  him,  must  have 
bewildered  the  officers  of  the  Tallahatchie.  But 
the  fog  was  lifting,  the  steamer  to  windward  was 
now  under  way,  though  moving  very  slowly,  and 
her  solid  shot  fell  very  near  to  the  Confederate 
vessel. 

By  this  time  the  sails  of  the  West  Wind  were 
all  drawing  full,  and  the  craft  was  making  very 
good  headway  through  the  water.  The  fog  bank 
had  scattered,  and  appeared  now  to  be  in  a  dozen 
smaller  masses,  floating  off  in  the  direction  of 
Mobile  Point.  Christy  still  retained  the  wheel, 
while  Graines  was  putting  everything  in  order  for- 
ward and  in  the  waist,  after  setting  the  sails. 

"  Send  French  aft  to  take  the  wheel,  Mr.  Graines," 


122  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

called  Christy,  as  the  engineer  came  aft  to  see  the 
main  sheet. 

This  man,  who  was  the  caj^tain  of  the  forecastle, 
one  of  the  most  important  and  best-paid  of  the 
petty  officers,  hastened  aft  to  relieve  the  chief  of 
the  expedition,  who  went  to  work  with  his  own 
hands  when  the  exigency  of  the  service  required. 

"  Make  the  course  south-west,  French,"  said 
Christy,  as  he  abandoned  the  wheel  to  the  petty 
officer. 

"  South-west,  sir,"  repeated  the  seaman. 

"  Can  you  make  out  the  Bellevite,  Mr.  Graines  ?  " 
asked  he,  as  he  met  the  engineer  on  the  quarter- 
deck. 

"  I  have  kept  a  sharp  lookout  for  her,  Mr.  Pass- 
ford,  but  I  have  not  seen  her  yet,"  replied  Graines, 
as  he  looked  earnestly  in  the  direction  in  which 
the  schooner  was  headed. 

"If  Captain  Breaker  received  mj^  message  sent 
by  Weeks,  the  ship  must  have  taken  a  position 
somewhere  below  the  entrance  to  the  channel,  and 
that  is  about  four  miles  soutli  of  the  fort,  and  out 
of  the  reach  of  any  of  its  guns,"  added  the  lieuten- 
ant. 

"  There  are  half  a  dozen  of   those  fog   banks 


THE   CASTING    OFF   OF   THE   TOWLINE         123 

floatinof  about  near  the  water  in  that  direction,  and 
she  may  be  there,"  replied  Graines,  as  he  took  a 
spy-glass  from  the  brackets  in  the  companion. 
"  Very  likely  she  is  down  that  way  somewhere, 
and  the  Tallahatchie  may  run  right  into  her." 

"  I  don't  think  Captain  Breaker  would  place  his 
ship  where  anything  of  this  kind  would  be  likely 
to  happen,"  replied  Christy.  "  It  is  still  as  dark 
as  Egypt  ahead,  and  I  think  we  shall  see  the  Belle- 
vite  very  soon." 

The  Confederate  steamer  had  sensibly  increased 
her  'speed,  and  gave  no  attention  whatever  to  the 
schooner  or  the  blockader  to  the  westward  of  her. 
Captain  Rombold  seemed  to  be  possessed  of  a 
supreme  confidence  in  the  speed  of  his  steamer,  and 
a  complete  assurance  that  he  should  escape  un- 
scathed from  all  pursuers,  if  any  attempted  to 
follow  him.  He  was  not  aware  that  the  Bellevite 
had  recently  had  her  bottom  cleaned,  and  her  engine 
put  in  thoroughly  good  condition,  so  that  she  could 
make  as  many  knots  in  an  hour  as  ever  before  ; 
and  that  was  saying  more  than  could  be  said  of  any 
other  craft  in  the  navy. 

"  I  would  give  my  month's  pay  to  know  what 
the  Tallahatchie   has   for   a   midship   gun,"  said 


124  A  viCTomous  union 

Christy,  still  gazing  at  the  Confederate  vessel  as 
she  continued  to  increase  her  speed. 

Suddenly,  without  saying  anything,  Graines, 
who  had  been  at  his  side,  left  him,  and  hastened  to 
the  companion,  where  he  stooped  down  and  gazed 
into  the  cabin.  Christy  had  heard  nothing  to 
attract  his  attention,  but  he  concluded  that  Captain 
SuUendine  had  escaped  from  his  prison,  and  he 
called  the  two  men  who  had  been  stationed  in  the 
waist  to  the  quarter-deck  to  render  such  assistance 
as  the  engineer  might  need ;  but  this  officer 
remained  at  the  entrance  to  the  cabin,  and  made 
no  further  movement. 


A   HAPPY    KETUllN    TO   THE   BELLEVITE      125 


CHAPTER   XI 

A  HAPPY   KETUEN   TO   THE   BELLEVITE 

Although  lie  anticipated  a  disagreeable  scene 
with  the  captain  of  the  West  Wind,  who,  he 
supposed,  had  slept  off  the  fumes  of  the  inordinate 
quantity  of  liquor  he  had  drunk,  he  did  not  con- 
sider that  there  was  any  peril  in  the  situation,  for 
he  had  plenty  of  force  to  handle  him  easily.  His 
curiosity  was  excited,  and  he  walked  over  to  the 
companion,  where  Graines  appeared  to  be  gazing 
into  the  darkness  of  the  cabin ;  but  he  did  not 
interfere  with  the  proceedings  of  his  fellow-officer. 

"  We  don't  need  the  men  you  have  called  from 
the  waist,"  said  the  engineer  in  a  low  tone. 

Christy  sent  the  two  men  back  to  their  former 
station.  As  he  was  returning  to  his  chosen  posi- 
tion abaft  the  companion,  he  saw  a  glimmer  of  light 
in  the  gloom  of  the  cabin.  Graines  invited  him 
to  take  a  place  at  his  side,  chuckling  perceptibly 
as  he  made  room  for  him.  The  lieutenant  stooped 
down  so  that  he  could  see  into  the  cabin,  and  dis- 


126  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

covered  a  man  with  a  lighted  match  in  his  hand, 
fumbling  at  the  door  of  the  closet  where  Captain 
SuUendine  kept  his  whiskey. 

'•'  Is  that  the  captain?"  whispered  Christy,  who 
could  not  make  out  the  man,  though  he  was  not 
as  tall  as  the  master  of  the  West  Wind. 

"No;  it  is  Bokes,"  replied  Graines.  "  He  must 
have  got  out  of  the  deck-house  through  one  of  the 
windows.  He  found  the  bottle  French  gave  him 
was  emjDty,  and  I  have  no  doubt  his  nerves  are  in 
a  very  shaky  condition." 

Both  of  the  officers  had  leaned  back,  so  that 
their  whispers  did  not  disturb  the  operator  in  the 
cabin.  His  first  match  had  gone  out,  and  he  lighted 
another.  Captain  SuUendine  had  been  too  much 
oveicome  by  his  potations  to  take  his  usual  j)recau- 
tions  for  the  safety  of  his  spirit-room,  and  the  ob- 
servers saw  that  the  key  was  in  the  door.  Bokes 
took  one  of  the  bottles,  and  carried  it  to  the  table. 
His  match  went  out,  and  he  poked  about  for  some 
time  in  the  cabin. 

Presently  he  was  seen  again,  coming  out  of  the 
pantry  with  a  lighted  lantern  in  his  hand,  which 
he  placed  on  the  table.  He  had  a  corkscrew  in 
the  other  hand,  with  which  he  proceeded,  as  hur- 


A  HAPPY  RETURN  TO  THE  BELLEVITE   127 

riedly  as  his  trembling  hands  would  permit,  to  open 
the  bottle,  for  the  master  had  drained  the  last  one. 
Then  he  poured  out  a  tumblerful  of  whiskey,  as 
the  observers  judged  it  was  from  its  color,  and 
drank  it  off.  At  this  point  Graines  descended  to 
the  cabin  and  confronted  the  fellow. 

Christy,  after  taking  a  long  look  to  the  south- 
east, followed  the  engineer  into  the  cabin,  for  it 
was  possible  that  his  companion  intended  to  look 
into  the  condition  of  Captain  Sullendine,  and  he 
desired  to  be  present  at  the  interview. 

"  Good-morning,  Bokes,"  said  Graines,  as  he 
placed  himself  in  front  of  the  seaman. 

"  Mornin',  Mr.  Balker,"  replied  Bokes  ;  and  the 
heavy  drink  he  had  just  taken  appeared  to  have 
done  nothing  more  than  steady  his  nerves,  for  he 
seemed  to  have  the  full  use  of  his  faculties. 

"  How  do  you  feel  this  morning,  my  friend  ?  " 
continued  the  engineer ;  and  Christy  thought  he 
was  making  himself  very  familiar  with  the  boozing 
seaman,  who  was  at  least  fifty  years  old. 

"Fine's  a  fiddle-string,"  replied  Bokes.  "We 
done  got  out  all  right,  I  reckon  ;  "  and  it  was  plain 
that  he  had  not  taken  notice  that  the  schooner  was 
no  longer  in  tow  of  the  steamer. 


128  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"All  right,"  replied  Graines,  as  he  placed  him- 
self on  a  stool,  and  pushed  another  towards  the 
sailor,  who  seated  himself.  "  By  the  way,  friend 
Bokes,  I  suppose  you  have  been  on  board  of  the 
Tallahatchie  ?  " 

"  More'n  a  dozen  times,  here  'n '  up  in  Mobile. 
My  fust  cousin's  an  'iler  aboard  on  her,"  replied 
Bokes. 

"  How  many  guns  does  she  carry  ?  "  asked  the 
engineer  in  a  very  quiet  tone,  though  the  man  did 
not  seem  to  be  at  all  suspicious  that  he  was  in 
the  act  of  being  used  for  a  purpose. 

"  I  don't  jest  know  how  many  guns  she  kerries  ; 
but  she's  got  a  big  A'mstrong  barker  'midships 
that'll  knock  any  Yankee  ship  inter  the  middle  o' 
next  year  'n  less  time  'n  it'll  take  you  to  swaller  a 
tot  o'  Kaintuck  whiskey.  It's  good  for  five-mile 
shots." 

"  This  is  her  midship  gun,  you  say  ?  " 

"  Midship  gun,  sir ;  'n  I  heard  'em  say  it  flung  a 
shot  nigh  on  to  a  hundred  pounds,"  added  Bokes. 

Both  Christy  and  Graines  asked  the  man  otlier 
questions;  but  he  had  not  made  good  use  of  his 
opportunities,  and  knew  very  little  about  the  arm- 
ament  of  the  Tallahatchie ;   yet    he  remembered 


A   HAPPY    RETURN    TO    THE    BELLEVITE      129 

what  he  had  heard  others  say  about  her  principal 
gun.  The  lieutenant  knew  all  about  the  Arm- 
strong piece,  for  he  had  in  his  stateroom  the  volume 
on"  Ordinance  and  Gunnery,"  by  Simpson,  and  he 
had  diligently  studied  it. 

"Mr.  Passford,"  said  one  of  the  hands  at  the 
head  of  the  companion  ladder. 

"  On  deck,"  replied  Christy. 

"  Steamer  on  the  port  bow,"  added  the  seaman. 

"  That  must  be  the  Bellevite,"  said  the  lieutenant. 

"  Now  you  may  go  on  deck,  Bokes,"  added 
Graines,  as  he  drove  the  boozer  ahead  of  him,  and 
followed  his  superior. 

He  instructed  the  men  in  the  waist  to  keep  an 
eye  on  Bokes,  and  sent  him  forward.  Then  he 
took  the  precaution  to  lock  the  doors  at  the  com- 
panion-way, and  joined  Christy  on  the  quarter- 
deck. 

"  That's  the  Bellevite  without  a  doubt,"  said 
Christy,  as  he  directed  the  spy-glass  lie  had  taken 
from  the  brackets,  and  was  still  looking  through 
it.  "  But  she  is  farther  to  the  eastward  than  I  ex- 
pected to  find  her." 

"  I  suppose  her  commander  knows  what  he  is 
about,"  replied  Graines. 


130  A   VICTORIOUS    UNIOX 

"Certainly  he  does;  and  I  do  not  criticise  his 
action." 

All  the  steamers  on  the  blockade  except  the 
Bellevite  and  the  one  in  the  west  had  l)een  sent 
away  on  other  duty,  for  it  was  believed  that  the 
former  would  be  enough  to  overhaul  anything  that 
was  likely  to  come  out  of  Mobile  Bay  at  this  stage 
of  the  war.  Sure  of  the  steamer  of  which  he  was 
the  executive  officer,  Christy  directed  liis  glass 
towards  the  one  on  the  other  side  of  the  chan- 
nel. She  had  received  no  notice  of  tlie  approach 
of  a  powerful  blockade-runner,  and  she  had  not  a 
full  head  of  steam  when  she  discovered  the  Talla- 
hatchie. Besides,  she  was  one  of  the  slowest  ves- 
sels in  the  service. 

The  black  smoke  was  pouring  out  of  her  smoke- 
stack as  though  she  was  using  something  besides 
anthracite  coal  in  her  furnaces,  and  she  was  doing 
her  best  to  intercept  the  Confederate.  She  was 
still  firing  her  heaviest  gun,  though  it  could  be 
seen  that  her  shots  fell  far  short  of  the  swift 
steamer. 

"  Tliey  have  seen  the  Bellevite  on  board  of  the 
Tallahatchie,  and  she  has  changed  her  course," 
said  Graines,  while  Christy  was  still  watcliing  the 


A  HAPPY   RETUnisr   TO   THE   BELLEVITE      131 

movements  of  the  blockader  in  the  west.  "  Prob- 
ably Captain  Ronibold  knows  all  about  the  Belle- 
vite,  and  he  is  not  anxious  to  get  too  near  her." 

"  She  has  pointed  her  head  to  the  south-west, 
and  the  Bellevite  is  changing  her  course.  I  hope 
we  shall  not  miss  her,"  added  Christy. 

When  the  fog  bank  blew  over  and  revealed  her 
presence  on  board  of  the  West  Wind,  the  Bellevite 
was  not  more  than  half  a  mile  to  the  southward, 
but  she  was  at  least  two  miles  to  the  eastward  of 
her. 

"  Can  we  get  any  more  sail  on  this  craft,  Mr. 
Graines  ?  "    asked  the  lieutenant. 

"We  can  set  her  two  gaff-topsails." 

"  Do  so  as  speedily  as  possible." 

Christy  went  to  the  wheel,  and  Graines,  with 
three  men  at  each  sail,  assisting  himself,  soon  had 
shaken  out  and  set  the  gaff -topsails.  The  effect 
was  immediately  apparent  in  the  improved  sailing 
of  the  schooner.  A  Confederate  flag  was  found  in 
the  signal  chest,  and  it  was  set  at  the  main  top- 
mast head,  with  the  American  ensign  over  it,  so 
that  it  could  be  easily  seen  on  board  of  the  Belle- 
vite. The  lieutenant  was  now  very  confident  that 
he  should  intercept  his  ship. 


132  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  Now  clear  away  tliat  quarter-boat,  so  that  we 
can  drop  it  into  the  water  without  any  delay,"  con- 
tinued Christy,  as  he  gave  up  the  wheel  to  Lines 
again. 

Graines  hastened  to  obey  the  order,  for  the  Bel- 
levite  was  rushing  through  the  v/ater  at  her  best 
speed,  and  it  was  evident  enough  by  this  time  that 
Weeks  had  faithfully  performed  the  duty  assigned 
to  him. 

"  A  small  pull  on  the  fore-sheet,  Londall,"  called 
Christy  to  one  of  the  men  on  the  forecastle.  "  An- 
other on  the  main  sheet,"  he  added  to  Fallon  in  the 
waist. 

The  bow  of  the  West  Wind  was  thus  pointed 
closer  into  the  wind ;  and  the  gaff-topsails  enabled 
her  to  hold  her  speed  after  this'  change.  Paul 
Vapoor,  the  chief  engineer  of  the  Bellevite,  was 
plainly  doing  his  best  in  the  engine-room,  and  if 
the  lieutenant  had  been  a  sporting  man,  he  would 
have  been  willing  to  wager  that  his  ship  would 
overhaul  the  Tallahatchie ;  for  on  an  emergency 
she  had  actually  steamed  twenty-two  knots  an 
hour,  and  Christy  believed  she  could  do  it  now, 
being  in  first-rate  condition,  if  the  occasion  re- 
quired. 


A   HAPPY    llETUr.N    TU    THE    BELLEVITE       loo 

"  What  time  is  it  now,  Mr.  Graines  ? "  asked 
Christy. 

"  Quarter-past  four,"  replied  the  engineer,  when 
he  had  lighted  a  match  and  looked  at  his  watch. 

"  I  thought  it  was  later  than  that,  and  I  have 
been  looking  for  some  signs  of  daylight,"  replied 
the  lieutenant. 

"  It  is  just  breaking  a  little  in  the  east." 

"  I  suppose  Captain  Sullendine  is  still  asleep." 

"  No  doubt  of  it ;  he  has  not  had  two  hours  yet 
in  his  berth,  and  he  is  good  for  two  hours  more  at 
least." 

"  I  think  we  shall  be  on  board  of  the  Bellevite 
in  ten  minutes  more,"  continued  Christy,  as  he 
noted  the  position  of  the  ship.  "  Have  you  in- 
structed French  what  to  do  with  Captain  Sullen- 
dine if  he  should  attempt  to  make  trouble  ?  " 

"I  told  him  to  keep  him  in  his  stateroom,  and 
I  feel  pretty  sure  he  can't  get  out.  If  Bokes,  who 
must  have  an  idea  of  what  is  going  on  by  this  time, 
is  troublesome,  I  told  French  to  tie  his  Imnds  behind 
him,  and  make  him  fast  to  the  fore-rigging." 

"  The  fosr  is  settlinfj  down  ao-ain  on  tlie  Talla- 

O  O  O 

liatchie  ;  but  Captain  Breaker  knows  where  she  is, 
and  he  will  not  let  up  till  he  has  got  his  paw  on 


134  A   VICTOllIOUS    UNION 

her,"  said  Graines.  "  The  blockader  in  the  west 
isn't  anywhere  now.  She  could  not  do  a  thing 
with  such  a  steamer  as  that  Confederate." 

The  West  Wind  was  now  directly  in  the  path  of 
the  Bellevite,  and  in  five  minutes  more  she  stopped 
her  screw.  Possibly  her  commander  was  bewil- 
dered at  the  sight  of  the  schooner,  whose  flag  indi- 
cated that  she  was  already  a  prize,  though  he  could 
hardly  understand  to  what  vessel ;  for  nothing  was 
known  on  board  of  her  in  regard  to  the  cotton  ves- 
sel the  Tallahatchie  was  to  tow  to  sea. 

"  Stand  by  to  lower  the  boat  on  the  quarter !  " 
shouted  Christy,  perhaps  a  little  excited  at  the  pros- 
pect of  soon  being  on  the  deck  of»his  own  ship,  as 
he  and  Graines  took  their  places  in  the  craft. 

The  four  men  at  the  falls  lowered  the  boat  into 
the  water  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye,  and  the  two 
officers  dropped  the  oars  into  the  water  as  soon  as 
it  was  afloat.  They  pulled  like  men  before  the 
mast,  and  went  astern  of  the  schooner,  whose  head 
had  been  thrown  up  into  the  wind  to  enable  the 
officers  to  embark  in  safet3\  French  was  now  in 
command  of  the  schooner,  and  he  filled  away  as  soon 
as  the  boat  pulled  off  from  her  side. 

The  Bellevite  had  sto2:»ped  her  screw  a  little  dis- 


A    HAPPY    RETCTRX    TO    THE    BELLEVITE      135 

tance  from  the  West  Wind,  and,  as  the  boat  ap- 
proached her,  she  backed  her  j^i'opeller.  Her 
gangway  had  been  lowered,  and  the  two  officers 
leaped  upon  the  landing.  They  had  hardly  done 
so  before  the  great  gong  in  the  engine-room  was 
heard,  and  the  steamer  went  ahead  again.  The 
boat  was  allowed  to  go  adrift ;  but  Christy  shouted 
to  French  to  pick  it  up-  The  lieutenant's  heart 
beat  a  lively  tattoo  as  he  mounted  the  steps,  and 
ascended  to  the  deck. 


13G     A   LIVELY   CHASE   TO   THE   SOUTH-WEST 


CHAPTER  XII 

A  LIVELY  CHASE  TO  THE  SOUTH-WEST 

Captain  Breaker,  had  been  in  the  main  rigging 
with  his  night-glass,  watching  the  movements  of 
the  chase  ;  hut  he  recognized  the  voice  of  Christy 
when  he  shouted  to  French  to  pick  up  the  quarter- 
boat  of  the  schooner,  as  he  could  no  longer  make 
out  the  Tallahatchie  in  the  fog. 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Passford,"  said  he,  as  he 
met  Christy  when  he  descended  from  the  rail.  "  I 
am  glad  to  see  you  again." 

"  Good-morning,  Captain  Breaker,"  replied  the 
lieutenant,  as  he  took  the  offered  hand  of  the  com- 
mander.    "  I  hope  all  is  well  on  board,  sir." 

"  Entirely  well,  and  your  messenger  came  on 
board  in  good  time,  so  that  we  were  in  position  to 
get  the  first  sight  of  the  Trafalgar  when  she  showed 
herself  off  Sand  Island  Lighthouse,"  replied  the  cap- 
tain, as  he  led  the  way  to  his  cabin.  "  Mr.  Ballard, 
keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  the  chase,"  he  added  to 
the  actings  executive  officer. 


A  LIVELY   CHASE   TO   THE   SOUTH-WEST     137 

"  Will  you  allow  me  to  put  on  my  uniform,  Cap- 
tain? "  asked  Christy.  "  I  don't  feel  quite  at  home 
on  board  the  ship  in  the  rigout  I  have  woiii  all 
night." 

"  Certainly  ;  for  I  do  not  wish  j^ou  to  show  your- 
self to  the  ship's  company  while  you  look  so  little 
like  a  naval  officer,"  replied  the  captain,  as  he 
went  to  take  another  look  at  the  the  darkness  ahead. 

The  lieutenant  hastened  to  his  stateroom,  and 
in  a  very  short  time  he  had  washed  off  the  smut 
from  his  face  and  hands,  and  dressed  himself  in 
his  uniform,  so  that  he  looked  like  quite  another 
person.  Graines  had  gone  to  his  room  in  the  steer- 
age for  the  same  purpose,  for  neither  of  them  de- 
sired to  show  himself  as  he  had  appeared  before 
Captain  Sullendine. 

Christy  hurried  to  the  deck  as  soon  as  he  had 
made  the  change,  and  met  the  commander  on  the 
quarter-deck.  Lookouts  were  stationed  aloft  and 
on  the  top-gallant  forecastle,  and  all  hands  were  in 
a  state  of  healthy  excitement  in  view  of  the  stirring 
event  which  was  likely  to  transpire  before  the 
lapse  of  many  hours ;  and  doubtless  some  of  the 
men  were  moved  by  the  prospect  of  prize-money, 
not  only  from  the  proceeds  of  the  sale  of  the  steamer 


lo8  A   VTCTORTOITS   UNION 

they  were  chasing,  but  from  the  full  fi'cight  of 
cotton  on  board  of  the  schooner,  the  deck  load 
of  which  had  been  noted  by  some  of  the  crew. 

The  schooner  which  had  come  so  close  aboard  of 
the  Bellevite  was  a  mystery  to  all,  from  the  captain 
down  to  the  humblest  seaman  ;  but  the  American 
ensign  over  the  Confederate  flag  had  been  observed 
by  a  few,  and  this  settled  her  status.  Not  more 
than  half  of  the  seamen  were  aware  that  an  expedi- 
tion had  left  the  ship  at  ten  o'clock  the  evening 
before,  and  they  had  had  no  opportunity  to  notice 
the  absence  of  the  executive  officer  during  the 
night ;  and  even  yet  all  hands  had  not  been  called, 
for  the  regular  watch  was  enough  to  get  the  ship 
under  way. 

The  commander  conducted  the  executive  officer 
to  his  own  cabin,  again  reminding  Mr.  Ballard  to 
keep  a  sharp  lookout  for  tlie  chase.  Christy  felt 
like  himself  again  in  his  neat  uniform,  and  his  vig- 
orous and  well  knit,  as  well  as  graceful  form,  did 
more  to  show  off  the  dress  than  the  dress  did  to 
adorn  his  person. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you  again,  Christy,"  said 
Captain  Breaker,  seating  himself  and  pointing  to 
an  arm-chair  for  the  lieutenant,  while  he  came  down 


A  LIVELY   CHASE   TO   THE   SOUTH-WEST      139 

from  the  stately  dignity  of  the  commander  of  a 
man-of-war  to  the  familiarity  with  Avhich  he  treated 
his  chief  officer  when  they  were  alone.  "  I  had  no 
doubt  that  you  would  give  a  good  account  of  your- 
self, as  you  always  do.  You  were  going  on  the 
enemy's  territory,  and  you  were  in  j^eril  all  the 
time.  Now  you  come  off  in  a  schooner,  which 
appears  to  be  loaded  with  cotton,  and  how  or  where 
you  picked  her  up  is  a  mystery  to  me  ;  "  and  the 
commander  indulged  in  a  laugh  at  the  oddity  of 
the  young  officer's  reappearance.  "  Your  messen- 
ger reported  that  the  Trafalgar  would  sail  at  three 
o'clock  in  the  morning,  and  I  judge  that  she  left 
at  about  that  hour." 

"  Within  ten  minutes  of  it,  and  probably  made 
an  arrangement  with  the  commandant  of  the  fort 
to  that  effect,"  added  Christy.  "  But  they  do  not 
call  her  the  Trafalgar  now ;  though  Weeks  was 
not  aware  of  the  fact  when  I  sent  him  on  board. 
She  is  now  the  Tallahatchie,  though  I  noticed  that 
some  in  the  vicinity  of  the  fort  still  called  her  by 
her  old  name." 

"  Never  mind  the  name ;  she  will  answer  our 
purpose  as  well  under  one  appellation  as  another. 
When  I  asked  your  messenger  about  you  and  the 


140  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

other  six  men  of  3'our  party,  he  was  unable  to  give 
me  any  information  in  regard  to  your  movements  ; 
and  he  could  not  tell  me  how  you  had  ascertained 
the  hour  at  which  the  steamer  was  to  sail,"  con- 
tinued the  captain. 

"  Graines  and  myself  sepai-ated  from  the  party 
as  soon  as  we  landed  on  the  point ;  and  we  had 
obtained  our  information  before  we  joined  them 
again  on  the  shore  of  Mobile  Bay,  sir.  At  the 
same  time  we  had  learned  all  about  the  West 
Wind"  — 

"  The  what  ?  "  interposed  the  commander. 

"  I  mean  the  schooner  West  Wind,  the  one  from 
which  we  came  on  board  of  the  Bellevite,  which 
was  to  be  towed  out  by  the  Tallahatchie,  and 
which  was  towed  out  by  her  till  we  on  board  of 
her  cast  off  the  towline." 

"  Perhaps  you  had  better  narrate  the  events  of 
your  expedition  seriatim,  for  all  you  say  in  this 
disconnected  manner  only  thickens  the.  mystery," 
said  the  commander  :  and  he  knew  that  his  officer 
had  an  excellent  command  of  the  English  language, 
and  could  make  a  verbal  report  in  a  very  attractive 
and  telling  style,  though  perhaps  his  fatherly  in- 
terest in  the  young  man  had  something  to  do  with 
the  matter. 


A  LIVELY   CHASE   TO   THE   SOUTH-WEST     141 

Christy  began  his  narrative  with  the  departure 
from  the  ship,  passing  liglitly  over  the  minor 
details  till  he  came  to  the  meeting  with  the  de- 
serters from  the  West  Wind,  bivouacking  in  the 
hollow.  He  described  the  drinking  bout  which 
followed,  in  which  he  and  Graines  had  pretended 
to  join,  stating  the  information  lie  had  obtained 
from  them.  He  rehearsed  a  portion  of  Captain 
SuUendine's  speech,  adding  that  most  of  his  audi- 
tors were  the  seamen  from  the  Bellevite,  though 
he  had  sent  four  of  them  back  to  the  ship  before 
he  reached  the  shore. 

He  detailed  his  interview  with  the  master  of  the 
West  Wind,  explaining  how  he  had  shipped  the 
new  crew  with  him.  The  scenes  in  the  cabin  were 
described  in  full ;  in  fact,  every  incident  of  any 
importance  which  had  transpired  during  the  night 
was  related.  The  commander  was  deeply  inter- 
ested, and  listened  without  comment  to  the  narra- 
tive up  to  the  moment  when  the  narrator  had  come 
on  board  of  the  Bellevite.  He  was  not  sparing  in 
his  praise  of  the  engineer,  and  separated  what  he 
had  said  and  done  as  far  as  he  could  from  his  own 
words  and  actions. 

The  commander  then  questioned  him  in  regard 


142  A  vicTomous  union 

to  the  armament  of  the  TaUahatchie,  and  he 
repeated  the  meagre  information  he  had  obtained 
from  Bokes.  Some  conversation  concerning  Arm- 
strong guns  followed  ;  but  both  of  them  were  well 
posted  in  regard  to  this  long-range  piece.  Christy 
read  the  satisfaction  with  which  the  captain  heard 
his  statements  on  his  face. 

A  knock  at  the  door  of  the  cabin  disturbed  the 
conference,  and  the  lieutenant  was  directed  to 
open  the  door.  The  shaking  and  straining  of  the 
ship  had  for  some  time  indicated  that  Paul  Vapoor 
was  fully  alive  to  the  importance  of  getting  the 
Bellevite's  best  speed  out  of  her  on  the  present 
occasion ;  and  he  did  not  intrust  the  duty  to  his 
subordinates.  Christy  opened  the  cabin  door,  and 
Midshipman  Walters  asked  for  the  commander, 
and  was  admitted. 

"  Mr.  Ballard  directs  me  to  inform  you,  sir,  tliat 
we  are  gaining  on  the  chase,"  said  the  young  officer. 
"  The  fog  has  lifted  again,  and  we  can  make  her 
out  very  clearly.  The  Holyoke  has  abandoned  the 
chase,  and  appears  to  be  headed  for  the  schooner 
that  came  to  on  the  starboard  of  the  ship." 

"Tell  Mr.  Ballard  to  keep  the  ship  as  she  is, 
headed  for  the  Tallahatchie,"  replied  Captain 
Breaker. 


A   LIVELY    CHASE   TO    THE    SOUTH-WEST      143 

"The  Tallaliatcliie,  sir?"  queried  tlie  midship- 
man. 

"  Formerly  the  Trafalgar,"  added  the  com- 
mander. 

The  young  officer  touched  his  cap  and  retired. 

"This  Captain  Sullendine  is  still  secured  in  his 
stateroom  on  board  of  the  West  Wind,  is  he  ?  " 
asked  the  captain,  rising  from  his  arm-chair. 

"  Pie  was  when  I  left  the  schooner,  sir,"  replied 
Christy.  "  French,  the  captain  of  the  forecastle, 
is  in  charge  of  the  vessel,  with  orders  to  anchor 
her  a  couple  of  miles  to  the  eastward  of  the  light- 
house. I  have  already  commended  French  to  your 
attention,  Captain,  as  a  faithful  and  reliable  man, 
and  I  think  he  deserves  promotion." 

"  Your  recommendation  will  go  a  great  way  to 
procure  it  for  him,"  added  the  commander  with  a 
significant  smile. 

"  He  is  a  thorough  seaman,  has  been  the  mate 
of  a  large  coaster,  and  would  have  become  master 
of  her  if  his  patriotic  duty  had  not  led  him  to  ship 

I  in  the  navy." 
"  He  is  a  resolute  and  brave  fellow  in  action,  as 
I  have  had  occasion  to  observe,  and  I  shall  remem- 
ber him.     When  you  are  writing  to  your  father  it 
! 


144:  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

would  be  well  for  you  to  mention  him ;  and  tlie 
tiling  will  be  done  at  j-our  request  if  not  at  mine." 

"  It  certainly  would  not  be  done  without  j^our 
indorsement,  for  my  father  will  not  indulge  in 
any  favoritism  aside  from  real  merit,"  protested 
the  lieutenant,  with  some  warmth. 

"  You  are  quite  right,  Christ}^  We  must  go  on 
deck  now,"  added  Captain  Breaker,  as  he  moved 
towards  the  door.  "  You  have  been  up  all  night, 
my  boy;  it  will  be  some  hours  before  we  come 
within  reach  of  the  chase,  and  you  can  turn  in  and 
get  a  little  sleep  before  anything  stirring  takes 
place  on  board." 

The  excitement  which  had  animated  the  young 
officer  during  the  night  had  subsided  with  the  ren- 
dering of  his  report,  and  the  responsibility  of  a 
command  no  longer  rested  upon  him,  and  for  the 
first  time  since  he  embarked  in  the  whaleboat,  he 
began  to  feel  tired  and  sleep3^  He  went  on  deck 
with  the  commander,  and  took  a  survey,  first  of 
the  chase,  then  of' the  Holyoke,  and  finally  of  the 
West  Wind. 

Captain  Breaker  thought  the  Tallahatchie  was 
about  five  miles  distant.  Seen  through  the  glass, 
for  the  fog  had  all  blown  away,  and  the  daylight 


A    LIVELY    CHASE    TO    THE    SOUTH-WEST      145 

had  begun  to  obscure  the  stars,  the  steamer  seemed 
to  be  doing  her  best.  The  Holyoke  was  headed  to 
the  eastward,  evidently  intending  to  chase  the 
West  Wind,  for  she  could  not  yet  make  out  her 
flags,  indicating  that  she  was  already  a  prize.  She 
need  not  have  troubled  herself  to  pursue  the 
schooner  if  she  had  known  the  facts  in  regard  to 
her,  for  she  was  entitled  to  a  share  of  the  prize  as 
a  member  of  the  blockading  fleet  at  the  time  of  her 
capture.  But  she  could  prevent  her  from  being 
retaken  by  any  boat  expedition  sent  from  the 
shore,  as  her  lonely  position  where  the  Bellevite 
had  been  for  several  days  might  tempt  some  enter- 
prising Confederate  officer  to  do. 

Although  the  last  heaving'  of  the  log  showed 
twenty  knots,  it  was  a  quiet  time  on  the  deck  of 
the  Bellevite,  and  all  the  excitement  on  board 
was  confined  to  the  engine  and  fire  rooms.  With 
sundry  gapes  Christy  had  taken  in  the  situation, 
and  then  he  concluded  to  avail  himself  of  the  com- 
mander's permission  to  retire  to  his  stateroom, 
where  he  was  soon  in  a  sound  slumber. 

Just  before,  Captain  Breaker  had  retired  to  his 
cabin,  where  he  had  a  chart  of  the  Gulf  of  Mexico 
spread   out    on   his    table.     Assuming    the   point 


146  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

where  the  Tallahatchie  had  changed  her  course  to 
the  south-west,  he  drew  a  line  in  that  direction, 
and  realized  that  the  chase  could  not  go  clear  of 
the  Passes  of  the  Mississippi  River ;  and  she  was 
likely  to  sight  some  Federal  steamer  in  that 
locality. 

As  the  daylight  increased  the  weather  improved 
so  far  as  the  fog  was  concerned  and  it  promised  to 
be  a  clear  day,  for  the  stars  had  not  been  obscured 
at  any  time  during  the  night.  The  only  alterna- 
tive the  commander  could  see  for  the  chase,  as  he 
studied  the  chart,  was  to  go  to  the  southward  be- 
fore he  could  sight  the  Pass  a  I'Outre.  He  was  so 
confident  that  this  must  be  his  course,  that  he  de- 
cided to  take  advantage  of  the  situation,  and  he 
went  on  deck  at  once,  where  he  ordered  the  officer 
of  the  deck  to  make  the  course  south  south-west. 


THE    FIllST    SHOT    OF    CLUMENHOFF  147 


CHAPTER  XIII 

THE  FIRST  SHOT  OF  BLUMENHOFF 

Captain  Breaker  watched  the  Tallahatchie 
with  the  most  earnest  attention  ;  and  it  was  not 
five  minutes  after  he  had  o^iven  out  the  new  course 
before  she  changed  her  direction,  though  not  to  the 
south,  but  enough  to  carry  her  clear  of  the  Passes 
of  the  Mississippi.  Paul  Vapoor  was  still  crowding 
the  engine  to  the  utmost  that  could  be  done  with 
safety,  and  he  s[)ent  no  little  of  his  time  in  the  fire 
room,  personally  directing  the  men  in  the  work  of 
feeding  the  furnaces. 

It  was  evident  to  the  commander  that  his  ship 
was  gaining  on  the  Tallahatchie,  at  least  a  knot  an 
hour,  as  he  estimated  it,  and  the  chase  could  not 
now  be  more  than  four  miles  distant.  This  was 
within  the  range  of  her  Armstrong  gnn,  if  it  was 
of  the  calibre  reported  by  Bokes,  Avhose  informa- 
tion was  mere  hearsay,  and  was  ojjen  to  many 
doubts. 

"  She    is    changing    her    course    again,    Captain 


148  A    VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Breaker,"  said  Mr.  Ballard,  who  had  been  observing 
the  chase  with  the  best  glass  on  board. 

"  Probably  she  has  discovered  a  man-of-war  in 
the  distance,"  added  the  captain. 

"  I  cannot  make  out  an3^thing  to  the  westward 
of  her,"  said  Mr.  Ballard,  who  had  directed  his 
glass  that  way. 

"  She  knows  very  well  that  she  is  liable  to  en- 
counter a  Federal  ship  on  the  course  she  is  running. 
How  does  she  head  now  ?  " 

"As  nearly  south  as  I  can  make  it  out." 

"  Then  we  have  made  something  on  her  by  going  to 
the  south  south-west  in  good  season  ;  and  I  am  sorry 
I  did  not  do  it  sooner,"  rej^lied  the  commander,  as 
he  went  into  a  fine  calculation,  estimating  sundry 
angles,  and  figuring  on  the  gain  he  was  confident 
he  had  already  made. 

"  I  think  she  is  headed  due  south  now,  Captain," 
said  Mr.  Ballard. 

"  So  I  should  say,  and  we  are  headed  a  little  too 
much  to  the  westward.  Make  the  course  south  by 
west  half  west,  Mr.  Ballard." 

This  course  was  given  to  the  quartermaster  con- 
ning the  wheel.  For  another  hour  the  two  steamers 
kept  on   the    course  taken,  at  the  end   of   which 


THE    FIRST    SHOT    OF    BLUMENHOFF  149 

time  the  captain  believed  they  were  within  three 
miles  of  each  other ;  and  the  appearance,  as  viewed 
by  skilful  and  experienced  officers,  verified  his  es- 
timate of  the  relative  speed  of  both  —  that  the 
Bellevite  was  gaining  about  a  knot  an  hour  on  the 
chase. 

They  had  hardly  agreed  upon  the  situation  before 
a  cloud  of  smoke  was  seen  to  rise  from  the  Avaist 
of  the  Tallahatchie,  followed  by  the  report  of  a 
heavy  gun.  The'  projectile  struck  the  water  at 
least  a  quarter  of  a  mile  ahead  of  the  Bellevite,  at 
which  the  watch  on  deck  gave  a  half-suppressed 
cheer. 

"  They  must  have  better  gunners  than  that  in- 
dicates on  board  of  that  steamer,  for  she  has  been 
fitted  out  as  a  cruiser,"  said  the  commander  with 
a  quiet  smile. 

Twenty  minutes  later  another  j^uff  of  smoke, 
followed  by  a  second  report,  excited  the  attention 
of  an  officer  on  the  deck  of  the  loyal  ship.  The 
shot  struck  the  water  only  a  little  less  ahead  of  the 
ship  than  the  former,  and  the  crew  gave  a  more 
vigorous  cheer:  but  it  was  observed  that  it  hit  tlie 
sea  a  little  on  the  starboard  bow,  so  that  if  it  had 
been  better  aimed  it  would  not  have  reached  the  ship. 


150  A   VICTOEIOUS    UNION 

"  She  is  wasting  her  ammunition,"  said  the  cap- 
tain. "  She  seems  to  be  jesting,  or  else  she  is  trying 
to  frighten  us." 

"  I  think  it  is  something  worse  than  that,  Captain 
Breaker,"  replied  Mr.  Ballard. 

"  What  could  be  worse  ?  " 

"  I  am  inclined  to  the  opinion  that  she  cannot 
swing  the  gun  around  so  as  to  make  it  bear  on  an 
object  so  far  astern  of  her  as  this  ship  is  at  the 
present  moment,"  said  the  lieutenant. 

"  He  has  an  all  sufficient  remedy  for  that,"  added 
the  captain.  "  He  can  swing  his  ship's  head  around 
so  his  gun  will  bear  on  us." 

"But  that  would  cause  him  to  lose  a  quarter  of 
a  mile  or  more  of  his  advantage  ;  and  she  seems  to 
be  more  inclined  to  run  away  from  the  Bellevite 
than  to  fight  her,"  suggested  the  lieutenant. 

"  Call  all  hands,  Mr.  Ballard,"  said  the  com- 
mander ;  and  in  a  few  minutes  all  the  officers  and 
seamen  were  at  their  stations. 

The  call  awoke  Christy  from  his  slumber,  which 
the  report  of  tlie  gun  and  the  cheering  of  the  men 
had  failed  to  do.  But  he  understood  the  summons, 
and  thoucrht  the  action  was  about  to  begin.  He 
adjusted  his  dress  and  hastened  to  the  quarter  deck. 


THE   FIRST    SHOT    OF   BLU.MENPIOFF  151 

AA'here  he  reported,  in  clue  form  to  tlie  captain.  Mr. 
Ballard  was  relieved  of  his  duties  as  acting  execu- 
tive officer,  and  went  to  his  proper  station  to  take 
command  of  his  division.  Christy  took  a  careful 
survey  of  the  situation,  and  saw  that  the  Bellevite 
had  gained  at  least  two  knots  on  the  chase.  The 
Holyoke  and  the  West  Wind  were  no  longer  in 
sight,  though  the  fog  seemed  to  be  still  hanging 
about  the  entrance  to  Mobile  Bay. 

"  The  Tallahatchie  has  fired  two  shots  at  us,  Mr. 
Passford  ;  but  she  wasted  her  ammunition,"  said  the 
commander.  "  I  am  inclined  to  agree  with  TMr. 
Ballard  that  she  cannot  swinsr  her  Arrastrono-  crun 

O  (DO 

SO  as  to  cover  the  Bellevite." 

"  She  has  stopped  her  screw,  sir  !  "  exclaimed  the 
first  lieutenant,  who  was  looking  at  the  chase 
through  the  best  glass. 

"  Make  the  course  west,  Mr.  Passford  !  "  said 
the  captain  witli  energy. 

"  Quartermaster,  make  it  west !  "  shouted  Christy. 

"  West,  sir  !  "  repeated  the  quartermaster,  as  he 
caused  the  helmsmen  to  heave  over  the  wheel. 

Directing  his  glass  to  the  chase  again,  Christy 
saw  the  Tallahatchie  swing  around  so  that  she  was 
broadside  to  the  Bellevite.     Almost  at  the  same 


152  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

moment  the  smoke  rose  from  her  deck,  and  the 
sound  of  the  gun  reached  the  ears  of  the  officers 
and  crew.  The  shot  passed  with  a  miglity  wliiz 
between  the  fore  and  main  mast  of  the  sliip,  cutting 
away  one  of  tlie  fore  topsail  braces,  but  doing  no 
otlier  damage.  The  seamen  cheered  as  they  had 
before.  The  Tallaliatcliie  started  her  screw  as  soon 
as  slie  had  discharged  her  gun,  and  resumed  her 
former  course,  the  Bellevite  doing  the  same. 

If  the  loyal  ship  had  not  promptly  altered  her 
course,  the  projectile  would  have  raked  her,  and 
must  have  inflicted  much  greater  injury  in  the 
spars  and  rigging.  But  both  vessels  promptly  re- 
sumed their  former  relative  positions,  though  the 
Tallahatchie  had  lost  some  of  her  advantage  by 
coming  to,  while  her  pursuer  had  only  made  a 
small  circuit  without  stopping  her  engine  for  a 
moment. 

"  If  she  does  that  again,  Mr.  Passford,  we  must 
be  ready  to  return  her  fire,"  said  the  captain. 
"  Have  the  pivot  gun  ready,  and  aim  for  her 
Armstrong,  which  seems  to  be  sufficiently  promi- 
nent on  her  deck  to  make  a  good  target." 

Christy  hastened  forward,  and  gave  the  order  to 
Mr.  Ballard,  in  wliose    division   the   great    Parrot 


I 


THE    FIRST    SHOT    OF    ULUMENHOFF  153 

was  included.  The  signal  was  promptly  given  for 
manning  the  gun,  and  seventeen  men  immediately 
sprang  to  their  stations.  The  men  were  armed 
with  cutlasses,  muskets,  battle-axes,  pistols,  and 
pikes,  which  were  so  disposed  as  to  be  in  readiness 
for  boarding  the  enemy,  "or  repelling  boarders. 

"  A  solid  shot,  and  aim  at  the  pivot  gun  of  the 
enemy,"  said  Christy  in  a  low  tone  to  the  second 
lieutenant,  who  had  the  reputation  of  being  an  ex- 
pert in  the  handling  of  guns  of  the  largest  calibre. 

There  were  two  captains  to  the  pivot  gun,  one 
on  each  side,  stationed  nearest  to  the  base  of  the 
breech.  Seventeen  men  Avere  required  to  work 
the  pivot  gun,  whose  duties  were  defined  in  the 
names  applied  to  them,  the  powderman  being  the 
odd  one.  The  first  and  second  captains  were  num- 
bers o-ne  and  two ;  the  odd  numbers  being  on  the 
right,  and  the  even  on  the  left  of  the  piece :  num- 
ber three  was  the  first  loader,  four  the  first  spon- 
ger, five  the  second  loader,  six  the  second  sponger, 
seven  the  first  shellman,  eight  the  second  shellman, 
nine  the  first  handspikeman,  ten  the  second  hand- 
spikeman,  eleven  the  first  train  tackleman,  twelve 
the  second  train  tackleman  (the  last  two  at  the 
breech,  next  to  the  captains),  thirteen   first  side 


154  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

tackleman,  fourteen  second  side  tackleman,  fifteen 
first  port  tackleman,  sixteen  second  port  tackleman. 

The  gun  creAV  had  been  frequently  drilled  in  the 
management  of  the  piece,  and  the  men  were  en- 
tirely at  home  in  their  stations.  Other  hands  had 
been  trained  in  serving  the  gun,  so  that  the  places 
of  any  disabled  in  action  could  be  replaced.  The 
service  at  the  Parrot  was  not  all  that  was  required 
of  the  men  forming  the  gun  crew,  for  each  was  also 
a  first  or  second  boarder,  a  pumpman,  or  something 
else,  and  to  each  number  one  or  two  weapons  were 
assigned,  as  musket  and  pike,  sword  and  pistol, 
battle-axe.  When  the  order  to  board  the  enemy 
was  given,  every  man  knew  his  station  and  his 
proper  officer. 

"  Silence,  men  !  "  commanded  the  second  lieu- 
tenant, "  Cast  loose  and  provide !  " 

These  orders  were  repeated  by  the  first  captain 
of  the  gun.  It  is  his  duty  to  see  the  piece  cleared 
and  cast  loose,  and  everything  made  ready  for 
action.  He  and  the  second  captain  "provide" 
themselves  with  waist  belts  and  primers,  and  the 
first  with  some  other  implements.  But  the  hand- 
ling of  one  of  these  great  guns  is  about  as  techni- 
cal as  a  surgical  operation  would  be,  and  it  would 


THE   FIRST   SHOT   OF   BLUMENHOFF  155 

be  quite  impossible  for  the  uninitiated  to  under- 
stand it,  though  it  is  every-day  work  to  the  ordi- 
nary man-of-war's-man. 

Prompted  by  the  executive  officer,  ^^'ho  had  been 
further  instructed  by  the  captain,  all  the  series  of 
steps  had  been  taken  which  put  the  piece  in  readi- 
ness to  be  discharged,  and  all  that  remained  to  be 
done  was  to  adjust  the  aim,  which  is  done  by  the 
first  captain.  At  this  time  the  distance  between 
the  two  ships  had  been  considerably  reduced. 
The  captain  and  the  first  lieutenant  were  closely 
watchino-  the  chase  with  (^lasses. 

The  crew  of  the  Tallahatchie  could  be  seen  at 
work  at  the  long  gun,  and  another  shot  from  it 
was  momentarily  expected.  The  instant  the  bow 
of  the  enemy  began  to  swerve  to  port,  the  captain 
of  the  Bellevite  gave  the  order  to  put  the  helm  to 
starboard.  Almost  at  the  same  instant  the  enemy 
stopped  her  screw,  swung  round  and  fired  her  long 
gun.  The  projectile  crashed  through  the  bulwarks 
between  the  foremast  and  top-gallant  forecastle, 
wounding  two  men  with  the  splinters  which  flew 
in  every  direction. 

Dr.  Linscott  and  his  mates  had  established 
themselves  in  the  cockpit,  to  which  the  wounded 


156  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

are  conveyed,  in  action,  for  treatment.  The  two 
men  who  had  been  injured  by  the  splinters  were 
not  disabled,  and  they  were  ordered  to  report  to 
the  surgeon.  Before  the  enemy  could  resume  her 
course,  the  captain  of  the  pivot  gun  had  caught 
his  aim,  and  discharged  the  Parrot.  All  hands 
watched  for  the  result  of  the  shot,  and  the  glasses 
of  the  captain  and  the  first  lieutenant  were  directed 
to  the  chase. 

She  was  near  enough  now  to  be  observed  with  the 
naked  eye  v/ith  tolerable  accuracy,  and  a  shout 
went  up  from  the  men  at  the  pivot  gun,  in  which 
the  rest  of  the  crew  on  deck  joined,  as  they  saw 
that  the  shot  had  struck  the  midship  gun  of  the 
enemy,  or  ver}^  near  it ;  and  this  was  the  point 
where  old  Blumenhoff,  the  captain  of  the  gun,  had 
been  directed  to  aim.  He  was  a  German,  but  he 
had  served  for  twenty-one  years  in  the  British 
navy,  and  had  won  a  brilliant  reputation  in  his 
present  position. 

It  could  not  be  immediately  determined  whether 
or  not  the  Armstrong  had  been  disabled.  The 
Tallahatchie  had  swung  round  again  and  resumed 
her  flight ;  but  her  commander  must  have  realized 
by  this  time  that  he  was  getting  the  worst  of   it. 


THE   FIRST    SHOT    OF    BLUMENHOFF  157 

Paul  Vapoor  had  not  left  his  post  in  the  engine 
and  fire  room,  to  ascertain  how  the  battle  was 
going,  but  still  plied  all  his  energies  in  driving  the 
Bellevite  to  the  utmost  speed  she  could  possibly 
attain.  The  log  was  frequently  heaved,  and  the 
last  result  had  been  sent  down  to  him  by  Midship- 
man Walters,  and  it  was  twenty-one  knots. 

During  the  next  hour  the  long  gun  of  tlie  enemy 
was  not  again  discharged,  and  the  officers  of  the 
loyal  ship  were  assured  that  it  had  been  rendered 
useless  by  Blumenhoff's  only  shot. 


158  THE   PEOGEESS   OF   THE   ACTION 


CHAPTER   XIV 

THE   PROGKESS    OF   THE   ACTION 

The  tremendous  speed  of  the  Bellevite  had 
been  telling  with  prodigious  effect  upon  the  dis- 
tance between  the  two  steamers,  which  was  now 
reduced  to  not  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half. 
Captain  Rombold  could  not  help  realizing  by  this 
time  that  the  American-built  vessel  outsailed  the 
English-built.  If  the  Trafalgar  was  good  for 
twenty  knots  an  hour,  as  represented,  she  had 
hardly  attained  that  speed,  as  Captain  Breaker 
judged  by  comparison  with  that  of  his  own  ship. 

The  Armstrong  gun  was  still  silent,  and  it  was 
pretty  well  settled  that  it  had  been  disabled.  In 
this  connection  Christy  recalled  something  he  had 
read  in  Simpson  about  the  "  inability  of  the 
Armstrong  gun  to  resist  impact,"  and  he  sent  Mid- 
shipman Walters  to  bring  the  volume  from  his 
state-room.  When  it  came  he  found  the  place,  and 
read  that  three  shots  had  been  fired  into  one  of 
them  from  a  nine-pounder,  either  of  which  would 


THE   PIIOGIIESS   OF   THE   ACTION  159 

have  been  fatal  to  the  piece  ;  and  the  section  de- 
scribed the  effect  of  each  upon  it. 

He  showed  the  book  open  at  the  place  to  Captain 
Breaker  ;  but  he  had  read  it,  and  carried  the  whole 
matter  in  his  mind.  The  gun  quoted  was  weak, 
though  the  one  on  the  deck  of  the  Tallahatchie 
was  vastly  larger;  but  a  correspondingly  heavy 
force  had  been  brought  to  bear  upon  it. 

"  I  am  satisfied  that  the  enemy's  long  gun  has 
been  disabled  ;  and  while  she  continues  the  attempt 
to  run  away  from  us,  she  is  unable  to  use  her  broad- 
side guns  to  advantage,  for  she  cannot  bring  them 
to  bear  upon  us  without  coming  to,"  said  the  com- 
mander. "  But  we  are  rainino^  at  least  a  knot  and 
a  half  an  hour  on  her,  and  she  must  soon  change 
her  tactics." 

"•  That  is  evident  enough,  sir,"  added  Christy. 

"  The  captain  of  that  ship  is  a  brave  fellow,  and 
I  am  confident  he  will  fio-ht  as  lonsf  as  there  is 
anything  left  of  him,"  continued  the  captain  as  he 
occasionally  directed  his  glass  at  the  chase. 

"  He  certainly  will,  sir,  for  I  have  seen  his  ship 
knocked  out  from  under  him,  when  he  had  abun- 
dant excuse  for  haulino' down  his  flasf  before  he  did 
so ;  and  we  had  hardly  time  on  board  of  the  Cha- 


160  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

teaugay  to  save  his  people  before  his  vessel  went 
to  the  bottom,"  continued  Christy.  "  More  than 
that,  he  is  a  gentleman  and  a  scholar." 

"  You  have  told  me  about  him,  Christy ;  and  I 
believe  you  suggested  to  Captain  Chantor  his  best 
j)lan  of  action." 

"I  simply  indicated  what  I  should  do  in  his 
place,  and  he  adopted  the  method  I  mentioned," 
added  Christy  modestly. 

"We  may  find  it  advisable  to  resort  to  the  same 
plan,  thougli  I  must  add  that  it  is  by  no  means 
original  with  you.  It  was  adopted  in  the  war  of 
1812  with  England." 

"I  did  not  claim  the  method  as  original,  and 
knew  very  well  that  it  was  not  so,"  replied  the 
lieutenant. 

"  The  conditions  on  both  sides  must  be  favorable 
to  the  method  or  it  cannot  be  ado^Dted.  One  of  the 
ships  must  have  heavier  metal  than  the  other,  so 
that  she  can  knock  her  enemy  to  pieces  at  her 
leisure,  and  at  the  same  time  greater  speed,  so  that 
she  can  keep  out  of  the  reach  of  guns  of  shorter 
rano-e." 

"  I  am  sorry  I  could  not  obtain  more  definite  in- 
formation in  resrard  to  the  broadside  ofuns  of  the 


THE   PROGRESS    OF   THE   ACTION  161 

Tallahatchie,"  added  Christy.  "  Bokes  was  a  stu- 
pid fellow,  drunk  whenever  he  could  obtain  liquor, 
and  could  remember  very  little  of  what  he  heard 
on  board  of  the  steamer.  But  you  have  the  long 
range  Parrot,  and  I  have  no  doubt  you  can  knock 
her  to  pieces  in  your  own  time,  since  it  has  been 
demonstrated  that  we  can  outsail  her." 

But  at  this  moment  the  conversation  was  dis- 
turbed by  the  movement  of  the  chase,  which  ap- 
peared to  be  again  preparing  to  come  about.  The 
commander  ordered  the  helm  to  be  put  to  starboard 
to  avoid  being  raked,  and  directed  that  the  pivot 
gun  should  be  discharged  at  the  enemy.  The 
enemy  fired  a  broadside  of  three  guns  in  quick 
succession,  the  solid  shots  from  all  them  striking 
the  Bellevite  between  wind  and  water.  The  car- 
penter's gang  was  hurried  below  to  plug  the  shot 
holes. 

Blumenhoff  secured  his  aim  and  fired ;  but  this 
time  he  was  less  happy  than  on  the  former  occasion, 
and  thougli  the  shot  went  between  the  masts,  no 
great  damage  appeared  to  be  done.  The  enemy 
started  her  screw  immediately,  and  swung  around 
so  as  to  present  her  starboard  broadside  before  the 
Parrot  could  be  made  ready  for  another  shot.    The 


162  A   VICTOKIOUS   UNION 

Tallahatchie  delivered  another  three  shots,  two  of 
which  went  wide  of  the  mark.  The  third  struck 
the  carriage  of  the  pivot  gun,  but  fortunately  it 
was  not  disabled,  for  it  had  been  built  to  resist  a 
heavier  ball  than  the  one  which  had  struck  it. 

The  captain  of  the  Bellevite  gave  the  order  to 
Christy  to  swing  to  the  ship,  and  give  the  enemy  a 
broadside.  The  order  was  promptly  executed  as 
the  enemy  came  about  and  resumed  her  course  to 
the  southward,  which  was  certainly  a  very  bad 
movement  on  her  part.  The  four  guns  on  the 
port  side,  two  sixties  and  two  thirties,  sent  their 
solid  shots  over  the  stern  of  the  Tallahatchie. 

A  moment  later,  as  the  fresh  breeze  carried  away 
the  smoke  to  the  north-east,  the  crew  set  up  a  lively 
cheer,  for  the  mizzen  mast  of  the  chase  toppled 
over  into  the  water,  and  the  pilot  house  seemed  to 
have  been  knocked  into  splinters. 

"  Well  done  ! "  exclaimed  Captain  Breaker,  clap- 
ping his  hands  as  he  faced  the  guns'  crews  on  the 
port  side,  and  Christy  joined  him  in  the  demon- 
stration. 

The  men  of  the  division  gave  another  lusty  cheer 

-  in  response  to  the  approval  of  the  two  chief  officers. 

The  captain  had  already  ordered  the  ship  to  be  put 


THE   PEOGEESS    OF   THE   ACTION  163 

about  so  as  to  deliver  the  starboard  broadside,  and 
the  other  division  of  gnns  were  impatient  to  have 
their  chance  at  the  enemy. 

Christy  had  clapped  his  hands  with  his  spy-glass 
under  his  arm  ;  and  when  he  had  rendered  his 
tribute  of  aj^plause,  he  directed  the  instrument  to 
the  enemy.  A  squad  of  men  were  at  work  over 
the  ruins  of  the  pilot  house,  which  was  still  for- 
ward, as  the  vessel  had  been  built  for  a  pleasure 
yacht,  and  another  gang  were  getting  the  extra 
wheel  at  the  stern  ready  for  use. 

The  Bellevite  came  about  in  obedience  to  the 
order  Christy  had  given  to  the  quartermaster  con- 
ning the  wheel,  and  the  guns  on  the  starboard  side 
were  all  ready  to  deliver  their  messengers  of  death 
and  destruction. 

"  Aim  at  that  extra  wheel,"  said  the  captain  ;  and 
Christy  delivered  the  order  to  the  officers  of  the 
division. 

The  broadside  was  of  the  same  metal  as  on  the 
port  side,  and  the  result  was  looked  for  with  even 
more  interest  than  before.  The  appearance  was 
that  all  three  shots  had  struck  at  or  near  the  wheel 
at  the  stern,  and  Christy  promptly  directed  his 
glass  to  that  part  of  the  steamer,  the  captain  doing 
the  same  thing. 


164  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  There  is  nothing  of  the  wheel  left  in  sight," 
said  the  lieutenant.  "  The  taffrail  is  knocked 
away,  and  at  least  one  of  those  shots  must  have 
knocked  the  captain's  cabin  into  utter  confusion." 

"  Go  ahead  at  full  speed,  Mr.  Passford,"  said 
Captain  Breaker,  after  he  had  fully  measured  with 
his  eye  the  damage  done  to  the  enemy. 

"  Her  steering  gear  seems  to  be  entirely  disabled, 
sir,"  continued  Christy,  after  he  had  given  the 
order  to  the  chief  engineer.  "  She  does  not  appear 
to  be  able  to  come  about,  as  no  doubt  she  would  if 
she  could,  so  as  to  bring  her  broadside  guns  to  bear 
upon  us." 

The  order  had  been  given  before  to  load  the 
broadside  and  pivot  guns  with  shells.  The  enemy 
had  not  started  her  screw  for  the  reason  that  the 
ship  was  unmanageable  with  her  steering  gear  dis- 
abled. The  action  had  certainly  gone  against  her  ; 
but  she  gave  no  indication  that  she  was  ready  to 
surrender,  for  tlie  Confederate  flag,  which  had  been 
hoisted  at  the  mainmast  head  when  the  mizzen  was 
shot  away,  still  floated  in  the  breeze. 

A  gang  of  men  were  still  at  work  where  the 
extra  wheel  had  been,  and  the  commander  evi- 
dently expected  he  should  be  able  to  repair  the 


THIC   PROGRESS    OF    THE   ACTION  105 

damage  in  some  manner  so  that  he  could  steer  his 
ship.  CajDtain  Breaker  gave  the  command  to  stop 
the  screw,  and  a  mighty  hissing  and  roaring  of 
steam  followed  when  Christy  transmitted  it  to  the 
engine  room.  The  order  to  come  about  on  the 
headway  that  remained  succeeded,  and  the  three 
shells  immediately  exploded  on  the  deck  or  in  the 
hull  of  the  enemy  ;  but  the  extent  of  the  damage 
could  not  be  estimated. 

The  three  from  the  starboard  guns  were  next 
sent  on  their  mission ;  but  so  far  as  could  be  seen 
no  damaore  was  done.  The  Wg:  Parrot  was  next 
discharged ;  but  the  expert  captain  of  the  gun  was 
unfortunate  this  time,  for  the  projectile  dropped 
into  the  water  beyond  the  steamer,  though  it 
seemed  to  pass  very  near  the  stern.  For  the  next 
half  hour  the  midship  piece  was  kept  busy,  and  its 
shots  made  destructive  work  about  the  deck  of  the 
Tallahatchie. 

"  I  think  we  had  better  finish  this  business  at 
once,  and  before  the  enemy  has  time  to  rig  a  new 
steering  apparatus,  Mr.  Passford,"  said  Captain 
Breaker,  as  they  came  together  on  the  quarter-deck. 

"1  think  we  can  knock  her  all  to  pieces  with 
the  Parrot  gun,  sir,"  replied  Christy. 


166  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"But  it  miglit  take  all  day  to  do  that;  and  the 
Tallahatchie  exhibits  an  astonishing  power  of  re- 
sistance. Besides,  she  will  soon  repair  her  extra 
wheel,  and  have  it  ready  for  use.  I  am  inclined 
to  believe  that  we  are  wasting  time,  which  will 
make  it  all  the  worse  for  us  in  the  end,"  reasoned 
the  commander.  "  I  am  prepared  to  board  her,  for 
I  think  she  must  have  lost  a  great  many  men." 

"  No  doubt  of  it,  sir,"  added  the  lieutenant. 

"Lay  her  aboard  on  the  port  sid.e,  and  have 
everything  ready,"  continued  Captain  Breaker. 

Christy  gave  the  necessary  orders  for  this  de- 
cided action,  and  the  officers  and  the  crew  seemed 
to  be  delighted  with  the  prospect  of  a  hand-to-hand 
fight  with  the  enemy.  The  lieutenant  was  not 
wholly  confident  that  the  commander  was  right  in 
his  reasoning,  but  like  a  loyal  officer  and  a  true  sailor 
who  knows  no  duty  but  obedience,  he  heartily 
supported  his  superior.  He  walked  the  deck  in 
the  discharge  of  his  duty  ;  but  he  was  thinking  of 
something  since  the  order  to  board  had  been  given. 

"Is  there  anything  like  a  flank  movement  in 
boarding.  Captain  Breaker  ?  "  he  asked,  as  he  halted 
at  the  side  of  the  commander. 

"  Of  course  the  officei's  do  their  best  to  flank  the 


THE    PROGUESS    OP    THE    ACTION  167 

enemy  after  they  reach  the  deck,"  replied  the  ca])- 
tain,  looking  with  some  astonishment  at  the  lieu- 
tenant. 

"  I  have  reference  to  another  sort  of  flanking," 
added  the  inquirer. 

"  Of  course  in  a  squadron  some  of  the  ships  may 
be  ordered  to  operate  in  that  manner  ;  but  a  single 
ship  acting  against  another  can  hardly  do  any 
flanking." 

"But  I  mean  in  boarding." 

"  You  had  better  explain  yourself  a  little  more 
definitely,  for  I  do  not  understand  you,"  replied 
the  commander  with  a  puzzled  expression  on  his 
face. 

"  We  have  one  hundred  and  twenty  men,  with 
six  absent  on  other  duty,"  continued  the  lieuten- 
ant. "  Judging  by  what  I  learned  from  Bokes,  I 
believe  the  Tallahatchie  has  less  than  a  hundred, 
for  he  said  she  expected  to  recruit  twenty  or  thirty 
men  at  Nassau.  She  has  lost  more  men  so  far  than 
we  have,  sir." 

"  Grant  all  that  you  say,  and  where  does  the 
flanking  come  in  ?  " 

"  Your  order  is  to  board  on  the  port  side  of  the 
enemy,  which  will  bring  the  starboard  side  of  the 


168  A  vicTorjous  union 

Bellevite  alongside  of  lier.  Suppose  you  put 
twenty  men  or  more  into  the  launch,  on  the  port 
side  of  the  ship,  where  it  cannot  be  seen  by  the 
enemy,  just  before  the  order  to  board  is  given.  At 
the  right  time  let  this  boat  hurry  to  the  starboard 
side  of  the  Tallahatchie,  where  the  twenty  men  or 
more  will  board,  and  take  the  enemy  in  the  rear." 

The  commander  took  off  his  cap  and  rubbed  his 
bald  head  as  if  to  stimulate  his  ideas  ;  but  he  made 
no  answer  then  to  the  suggestion. 

Paul  Vapoor  was  driving  the  engine  to  its  ut- 
most, and  the  ship  was  rapidly  approaching  the 
enemy. 


A  FLANK  MOVEMENT  UNDERTAKEN    169 


CHAPTER  XV 

A  FLANK  MOVEMENT  UNDERTAKEN 

The  commander  of  the  enemj^'s  ship  could  not 
know  that  the  Bellevite  intended  to  board  ;  but  he 
could  hardly  help  regarding  with  anxiety  the 
rapid  progress  she  was  making  through  the  water. 
The  loyal  ship  was  getting  nearer  to  him,  and 
Captain  Rombold  could  not  avoid  seeing  that  his 
situation  was  becoming  desperate.  It  was  ab- 
solutely necessary  for  him  to  do  something,  unless 
he  was  ready  to  haul  down  his  flag,  which  Christy, 
for  one,  having  been  present  at  a  battle  with  him, 
did  not  expect  him  to  do  yet. 

The  executive  officer  kept  a  close  watch  upon 
the  enemy,  frequently  using  his  glass,  even  while 
he  was  discussing  his  suggestion  with  the  captain. 
There  was  great  activity  on  deck  near  the  stern  of 
the  Tallahatchie,  and  her  commander  must  have 
been  at  least  hopeful  that  the  steering  apparatus 
could  be  restored  to  some  degree  of  efficiency.  In 
the  meantime  he  could  not    bring   his   broadside 


170  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

guns  to  bear  on  the  Bellevite  for  he  was  unable  to 
come  about.  The  Federal  ship  was  headed  di- 
rectly for  the  enemy,  and  as  Captain  Breaker  was 
impatient  to  board,  he  could  not  fire  the  Parrot  or 
the  broadside  battery  without  losing  time  to  put 
his  vessel  in  position  for  throwing  shot  or  shell. 

"  She  is  starting  her  screw  again ! "  exclaimed 
Christy  suddenly,  as  he  discovered  the  stirring  up 
of  the  water  astern  of  the  enemy. 

"I  see  she  is,"  added  the  commander.  "She 
has  not  got  her  extra  wheel  in  position  yet,  and 
probably  she  has  pried  her  tiller  over,  or  hauled  it 
over  with  a  purchase.  Make  the  course  west,  Mr. 
Passford." 

Christy  gave  the  order  to  the  quartermaster, 
and  without  checking  her  speed,  the  Bellevite 
described  a  quarter  of  a  circle  and  came  to  the 
desired  course.  The  three  guns  of  her  port  bat- 
tery were  immediately  discharged,  loaded  with 
shell  as  on  the  last  occasion.  One  of  them  was 
seen  to  explode  in  the  midst  of  the  gang  of  men 
who  were  at  work  on  the  extra  wheel.  The  other 
two  burst  in  the  air,  too  far  off  to  do  any  serious 
damaofe. 

Very   slowly,    and   apparently  with  great  diffi- 


A    FLANK   MOVEMENT    UNDERTAKEN  171 

culty,  the  Tallahatchie  swung  around,  so  that  her 
port  guns  could  be  brought  to  bear  upon  the 
Belle vite,  and  the  two  ships  were  abreast  of  each 
other  so  that  neither  could  rake  the  other.  The 
loyal  ship  continued  on  her  course  to  the  west- 
ward, and  in  ten  minutes  she  had  made  three  miles 
and  a  half,  which  placed  her  out  of  the  reach  of 
the  broadside  guns  of  the  Tallahatchie. 

Christy  did  not  abate  his  watchfulness  over  the 
movements  of  the  enemy.  The  shot  from  the 
sixty-pounder  which  had  struck  on  the  quarter  of 
the  Confederate,  had  evidently  created  a  great 
deal  of  confusion  in  that  part  of  the  vessel.  Slie 
had  intended  to  describe  a  quarter  of  a  circle  in 
order  to  render  her  port  broadside  guns  available, 
but  she  had  not  made  more  than  the  eighth  of  the 
circuit  before  she  appeared  to  be  going  ahead,  and 
her  direction  was  diagonal  to  that  of  the  Belle- 
vite. 

"  What  does  that  mean  ?  "  asked  Christy  of  the 
commander  who  stood  near  him,  though  he  had  a 
very  decided  opinion  of  his  own  on  the  subject. 

"  It  simply  means  that  the  last  shot  which 
struck  her  deranged  whatever  expedient  her  cap- 
tain had  adopted  for  controlling  the  rudder,"  re- 


172  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

plied  the  commander.  "  It  failed  when  she  was 
half  round,  and  then  she  went  ahead." 

"  She  has  stopped  her  screw  again,  sir,"  added 
the  first  lieutenant. 

"  It  is  time  for  her  to  haul  down  her  flag ;  but 
she  does  not  seem  to  be  disposed  to  do  it,"  continued 
Captain  Breaker.  "  It  is  certainly  a  hopeless  case, 
and  he  ouglit  to  spare  his  men  if  not  himself." 

"  Captain  Rombold  is  not  one  of  that  sort. 
Though  he  is  a  Briton,  he  is  a  'last  ditch'  man." 

"Probably  a  very  large  majority  of  his  ship's 
company  are  English,  or  anything  but  Southern 
Americans,  and  he  ought  to  have  a  proper  regard 
for  them." 

"  I  think  he  must  see  some  chance  of  redeeming 
himself  and  his  ship,  for  I  never  met  a  more  high- 
toned  and  gentlemanly  man  in  all  my  life,  and  I 
don't  believe  he  would  sacrifice  his  people  unless 
with  a  hope  that  he  considers  a  reasonable  one." 

"  Come  about,  Mr.  Passford,  and  bear  down 
on  the  enemy.  Unless  he  works  his  steering  gear, 
we  have  her  where  she  is  utterly  helpless,"  said 
the  commander. 

"  I  wonder  she  does  not  get  a  couple  of  her 
heaviest  guns  in  position  on  her  quarter-deck,  and 


A   FLANK   MOVEMENT    UNDERTAKEN         173 

use  them  as  stern  chasers,"  said  Christy,  after  he 
had  obeyed  the  captain's  order,  and  the  Belle- 
vite  was  again  lieaded  directly  for  the  enemy, 

"  She  appears  to  require  all  the  space  there  for 
the  work  on  her  steering  appliances,"  replied 
Captain  Breaker.  "  In  ten  minutes  more  I  hope 
we  shall  be  able  to  board  her ;  and  I  think  we  can 
then  make  very  short  work  of  this  business.  About 
the  flanking  movement  you  propose,  Mr.  Passford, 
I  have  never  seen  anything  of  the  kind  done,  for 
most  of  my  fighting  experience  with  blockade- 
runners  has  been  at  long  range,  though  I  was  in  the 
navy  during  the  Mexican  war,  where  our  operations 
were  mostly  against  fortifications  and  batteries." 

"  I  do  not  consider  the  plan  practicable  except 
under  peculiar  circumstances,  like  the  present," 
returned  Christy.  "I  am  confident  that  we  out- 
number the  enemy,  and  the  men  for  the  flank 
movement  are  available." 

"  If  we  were  boarding  in  boats  we  should  natu- 
rally attack  both  on  the  starboard  and  port  sides. 
But,  Mr.  Passford,  the  executive  ofhcer  cannot  be 
spared  to  command  the  launch  and  its  crew." 

"  I  was  not  thinkincr  of  commandinof  the  flank- 
ing  party  myself,  sir." 


174  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  Neither  can  the  officers  of  divisions  be  spared." 

"  I  think  I  can  find  a  volunteer,  not  in  the  sail- 
ing department,  who  would  conduct  the  movement 
to  a  successful  issue,  Captain,"  added  Christy, 
very  confidently. 

"Mr.  Vapoor?  But  we  cannot  spare  him  from 
the  engine  room  for  a  minute,"  protested  the  com- 
mander, who  was  well  aware  that  the  chief  engi- 
neer was  the  lieutenant's  especial  crony.  "  That 
would  not  do  at  all." 

"  I  was  not  thinking  of  Mr.  Vapoor,  sir,"  inter- 
posed Christy. 

"  Who,  then  ?  "  demanded  the  commander,  lower- 
ing his  spy-glass  to  look  into  the  young  man's 
face. 

"  My  associate  in  the  expedition  to  Mobile  Point, 
who  did  quite  as  much  as  I  did,  if  not  more,  to 
make  it  a  success.  I  mean  Mr.  Graines,  the  third 
assistant  engineer.  I  know  that  he  is  a  brave  man 
and  an  officer  of  excellent  judgment,"  replied  the 
lieutenant,  with  more  enthusiasm  tlian  he  usually 
manifested  when  not  in  actual  combat. 

"Very  well,  Mr.  Passford ;  I  give  you  the  order 
to  carry  out  your  plan,  and  I  hope  it  will  work  to 
your  satisfaction.     But  you  must  not  take   more 


A  FLANK  MOVEMENT  UNDERTAKEN    175 

than  twenty  men,"  said  the  commander  in  con- 
clusion of  the  whole  matter. 

"Mr.  Walbrook,"  called  Christy  without  losing 
a  moment  in  the  preparations  for  carrying  out  his 
scheme,  which  neither  the  captain  nor  himself 
could  say  was  an  original  idea. 

The  station  of  the  second  lieutenant  at  quarters 
is  on  the  forecastle,  and  of  the  third  in  the  waist, 
or  the  middle  of  the  ship.  The  third  lieutenant 
stepped  forward  at  the  call  of  the  executive  officer, 
touched  his  cap,  for  "  the  honors  due  the  quarter- 
deck cannot  be  dispensed  with,"  even  at  exciting 
times. 

Christy  gave  him  the  order  to  cast  loose  the 
launch,  and  have  it  in  readiness  to  lower  into  the 
water  at  a  moment's  notice  ;  and  Mr.  Walbrook 
proceeded  to  obey  it  without  delay.  The  first 
lieutenant  then  called  Mr.  Walters,  a  midshipman, 
and  directed  him  to  give  his  compliments  to  Mr. 
Vapoor,  and  ask  him  if  he  could  spare  the  third 
assistant  engineer  for  special  duty  for  a  couple  of 
hours,  more  or  less. 

The  messenger  returned  with  the  reply  that  the 
chief  engineer  would  be  happy  to  detail  Mr.  Graines 
for  special  duty  at  once.     In  five   minutes   more 


176  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

the  assistant  engineer  appeared  upon  the  quarter- 
deck in  uniform,  and  touched  his  cap  to  the 
executive  officer. 

"  I  am  directed  to  report  to  you,  Mr.  Passford, 
for  special  duty,"  added  Graines. 

"  I  wish  you  to  assume  this  duty,  Mr.  Graines, 
as  a  volunteer,  if  at  all,"  replied  Christy.  "  All 
the  officers  on  deck  are  required  at  their  stations, 
and  the  commander  has  authorized  what  I  call  a 
flanking  movement,  which  I  purpose  to  send  out 
under  your  orders." 

"  I  am  very  much  obliged  to  you,  Mr.  Passford, 
for  the  honor  you  do  me  in  selecting  me  for  this 
duty ;  and  I  accept  the  position  with  pleasure," 
answered  the  engineer,  touching  his  cap  again. 

"  But  this  is  a  fighting  position,  Mr.  Graines," 
added  Christy  with  a  smile. 

"  So  much  the  better,  sir ;  and  if  my  education 
permitted,  I  should  prefer  to  be  in  the  thickest  of 
the  fight  rather  than  sliut  up  in  the  engine  room," 
returned  the  engineer;  and  this  was  just  the 
estimate  the  lieutenant  had  made  of  him, 

He  had  been  well  educated ;  but  he  liad  learned 
the  trade  of  a  machinist,  and  the  want  of  any  naval 
training  rather  than  his  own  inclination  had  driven 


A  FLANK   MOVEMENT   UNDERTAKEN         177 

him  into  tlie  engine  room.  But  he  had  been  three 
years  at  sea  as  a  sailor,  and  came  home  as  second 
mate  of  an  Indiaman. 

Cliristy  explained  to  liim  very  fully  the  plan  he 
had  suggested,  and  Graines  readily  grasped  the 
idea.  He  provided  himself  with  a  cutlass  and 
revolver,  and  became  very  enthusiastic  in  the  dis- 
cliarge  of  his  special  duty.  With  the  aid  of  the 
first  lieutenant  he  selected  the  men  for  the  move- 
ment, though  Christy  would  not  permit  the  detail 
to  consist  of  all  the  best  men,  for  that  would  r.ot 
be  fair  or  generous  to  the  officers  of  divisions. 
They  were  a  fair  average  of  the  quality  of  the  sea- 
men. 

The  Tallahatchie  made  an  attempt  to  come 
about  in  order  to  make  her  guns  available  ;  but  for 
some  unknown  reason  it  appeared  to  be  a  failure, 
for  she  presently  stopped  her  screw  again.  The 
Bellevite  was  rapidly  approaching  her,  and  her 
commander  evidently  realized  that  the  loyal  ship 
intended  to  board,  for  he  made  his  preparations  to 
meet  the  onslaught. 

Captain  Rombold,  in  spite  of  his  misfortune  in 
the  Dornoch  the  year  before,  was  inclined  to  dis- 
parage the  bravery  and  skill  of  the  officers  of  the 


178  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

United  States  Navy,  and  to  regard  the  seamen  as 
inferior  to  those  of  his  own  countr}^,  though  he 
was  too  gentlemanly  to  express  himself  directly  to 
this  effect.  Christy  had  drawn  this  inference  from 
what  he  said  in  the  conversations  with  him  when 
Colonel  Passford  and  he  were  prisoners  on  board 
of  the  Chateaugay. 

Holding  this  view,  as  Christy  was  confident  he 
did,  it  was  plain  from  his  action  that  he  expected, 
or  at  least  hoped,  to  win  a  victory  in  the  hand-to- 
hand  encounter  which  was  impending.  Of  course 
it  was  possible  that  he  might  do  so,  and  come  into 
possession  of  the  Bellevite,  which  had  outsailed 
him,  and  disabled  his  ship  for  a  combat  at  longer 
range. 

As  the  Federal  steamer  drew  near  to  the  enemy 
a  volley  of  musketry  was  poured  into  her,  which 
was  promptly  returned,  and  several  of  the  crew  on 
both  sides  dropped  to  the  deck,  and  were  borne  to 
the  cockpit,  though  the  relative  strength  of  each 
remained  about  as  before,  as  nearly  as  the  officers 
on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  Bellevite  could  judge. 

The  speed  of  the  attacking  ship  had  been  greatly 
reduced  as  she  neared  the  Tallahatchie,  and  the 
launch  was  already  in  the  water  with  its  crew  of 


A   FLANK   MOVEMENT   UNDERTAKEN  179 

twenty  men  on  board.  The  crew  of  the  latter 
were  armed  with  all  the  boarding  weapons  in  use, 
and  before  the  hands  on  deck  had  fastened  to  the 
enemy,  the  flanking  party  were  working  their 
heavy  craft  around  the  stern  of  the  steamer. 

The  loyal  ship  came  in  contact  with  the  side  of 
the  Confederate.  The  grappling  irons  were  cast, 
and  in  an  incredibly  short  space  of  time  the  two 
vessels  were  firmly  attached  to  each  other.  The 
supreme  moment  had  come,  as  all  thought,  but  for 
some  reason  not  apparent,  the  command  to  board 
was  withheld.  Captain  Breaker  who  stood  on  the 
quarter  deck  with  Christy,  appeared  to  be  per- 
plexed. He  saw  that  the  seamen  of  the  enemy 
were  drawn  up  on  the  starboard  side,  instead  of  at 
the  port  bulwarks. 


180       THE   lieutenant's   DARING   EXPLOIT 


CHPATER  XVI 

THE   lieutenant's   DARING   EXPLOIT 

Captain  Breaker  was  perplexed  when  his 
ship  came  alongside  the  enemy  and  was  made  fast 
to  her,  for  things  were  not  working  according  to 
the  usual  rules  made  and  provided  for  such  occa- 
sions, and  Captain  Rombold  was  evidently  resort- 
ing to  some  unusual  tactics.  The  two  steamers 
were  of  about  the  same  height  above  water,  so 
their  decks  were  very  nearly  on  a  level. 

The  men  with  muskets  on  both  sides  were  reload- 
ing their  weapons,  and  those  with  navy  revolvers 
were  discharging  them  at  the  enemy;  but  the 
officers  of  divisions  concealed  their  men  behind  the 
bulwarks  when  the  order  to  board  did  not  come. 

Christy  saw  the  perplexity  of  the  commander  at 
his  side,  and  it  was  evident  to  both  of  them  that 
some  unusual  strategy  was  to  be  adopted,  and 
Captain  Breaker  did  not  intend  to  fall  into  a  trap 
if  he  could  avoid  it.     They  could  see  nothing  that 


THE    lieutenant's    DAlllNG    EXPLOIT        181 

looked  suspicious  except  the  position  of  the  enemy's 
force  on  the  starboard  side  of  the  ship. 

Before  the  captain  couki  stop  him,  the  first  lieu- 
tenant had  leaped  into  the  mizzen  rigging,  and 
ascended  far  enough  to  obtain  a  view  of  the  quarter 
deck  over  the  bulwarks,  while  the  commander 
walked  aft  far  enough  to  accomplish  the  same 
purpose  by  looking  through  the  aperture  made  by 
the  shot  which  had  carried  away  the  wheel  of  the 
enemy,  without  exposing  himself  to  the  fire  of  the 
seamen  on  board  of  her. 

Christy's  action  occupied  but  the  fraction  of  a 
minute ;  but  several  muskets  and  revolvers  were 
discharged  at  him  in  this  brief  time.  Letting  go 
his  hold  of  the  rigging,  he  dropped  to  the  deck 
before  the  captain  could  see  what  he  was  doing; 
and  it  was  supposed  that  the  daring  officer  had 
been  brought  down  by  the  shots  fired  at  him. 

"  Second  division,  follow  me ! "  he  cried,  as  he 
picked  up  the  cutlass  he  had  dropped. 

About  thirty  men  rushed  to  the  quarter-deck, 
hurried  on  by  Mr.  Walbrook.  Christy  leaped  upon 
the  rail,  with  the  cutlass  in  his  right  hand,  and  the 
revolver  in  his  left,  and  dropped  down  upon  the 
quarter  deck  of  the  Tallahatchie,  upon  a  squad  of 


182  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

seamen  who  were  lying  low  behind  a  thirty -pounder, 
whose  carriage  was  close  to  the  bulwark,  the  piece 
pointed  forward. 

The  first  lieutenant  had  seen  from  his  position 
in  the  mizzen  rigging  the  trap  which  had  been  set 
for  the  crew  of  the  Bellevite.  They  were  expected 
to  leap  to  the  rail,  and  cut  away  the  boarding  net- 
tings —  not  alwaj^s  used,  but  were  on  this  occasion 
—  and  then  drop  down  to  the  deck.  The  first 
command  would  naturally  have  been  to  "  Repel 
boarders ;  "  but  this  was  not  given,  and  no  fighting 
was  to  be  done  till  the  boarders  reached  the  ship, 
when  the  thirty-pounder,  doubtless  loaded  with 
grape  or  shrapnel,  was  to  mow  down  the  invaders 
of  the  deck. 

Christy's  men  poured  down  after  him,  and  before 
the  crew  of  the  gun,  who  had  no  doubt  been 
ordered  to  conceal  themselves,  could  get  upon  their 
feet  they  were  cut  down  by  the  impetuous  tars 
from  the  Bellevite.  It  was  the  work  of  but  a 
moment.  Christy  had  taken  some  pains  to  have 
the  opinion  of  Captain  Rombold  that  American 
seamen  were  inferior  to  British  circulated,  and  the 
men  evidently  intended  to  prove  that  they  were 
the  equals  of  any  sailors  afloat. 


t 


THE   lieutenant's   DARING   EXPLOIT        183 

"Swing  the  muzzle  of  the  gun  to  starboard!" 
shouted  Christy,  as  lie  took  hold  with  his  own 
hands  to  point  the  piece,  which  was  in  position  in 
a  moment. 

Captain  Rombold  stood  but  a  short  distance  from 
the  stump  of  the  mizzen  mast  with  a  cutlass  in  his 
hand.  He  rushed  forward  to  rally  his  crew;  and 
he  seemed  to  be  rendered  desperate  by  the  failure 
of  the  scheme  to  which  he  had  resorted.  At  this 
moment  Christy  heard  Captain  Breaker  shout  the 
order  to  board,  and  the  men  were  springing  to  the 
rail,  and  tearing  away  the  boarding  netting. 

"Stand  by  the  lanyard  I  "  cried  the  first  lieuten- 
ant on  the  quarter-deck  of  the  enemy,  and  he  had 
sighted  the  piece  himself  in  the  absence  of  any 
regular  gun  crew.     "  Fire  !  " 

The  cloud  of  smoke  concealed  all  of  the  deck 
forward  of  the  mizzen  mast,  and  Christy  could  not 
see  what  effect  had  been  produced  by  the  charge 
of  grape,  or  whatever  it  was.  At  any  rate  the  men 
the  commander  had  rallied  for  a  charge  did  not 
appear. 

The  smoke  was  blown  away  in  a  minute  or  so, 
and  the  Bellevite's  sailors  had  made  a  lodgment 
on  the  deck  of  the  enemy.     They  were  led  by  the 


184  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION- 

ofificers  of  the  divisions,  and  were  rushing  over  to 
the  starboard,  where  the  enemy's  men  had  been 
concentrated.  They  were  brave  men,  whether 
English  or  not,  and  the  moment  the}^  coukl  see  tlie 
boarders,  they  rushed  at  them  by  command  of  their 
officers  ;  but  they  pushed  forward,  as  it  were,  out 
of  a  heap  of  killed  and  wounded,  those  who  had 
fallen  by  the  grape-shot  intended  to  decimate  the 
ranks  of  the  loyal  band. 

Christy  rallied  his  men  as  soon  as  they  had  done 
their  work  in  the  vicinity  of  the  thirty-j)ounder, 
and  ordered  them  to  join  their  division  under  the 
command  of  the  third  lieutenant.  But  the  seamen 
on  the  part  of  the  Confederates  seemed  to  be  dis- 
pirited to  some  extent  by  the  bad  beginning  they 
had  made,  and  by  the  heap  of  slain  near  them 
Captain  Rombold  lay  upon  the  deck,  propped  up 
against  the  mizzen  mast.  He  looked  as  pale  as 
death  itself ;  but  he  was  still  directing  the  action 
giving  orders  to  his  first  lieutenant.  Two  of  his 
officers  were  near  him,  but  both  of  them  appeared 
to  be  severely  wounded. 

The  battle  was  raging  with  fearful  energy  on 
tlie  part  of  the  loyal  tars,  and  with  hardly  less 
vigor  on  the  part  of  the  enemy,  though  the  latter 


THE   lieutenant's   DARING    EXPLOIT        185 

fought  in  a  sort  of  desperate  silence.  The  wounded 
commander  was  doing  his  best  to  reinspire  them ; 
but  his  speech  was  becoming  feeble,  and  perhaps 
did  more  to  discourage  than  to  strengthen  them. 

At  this  stage  of  the  action  Graines,  closely  fol- 
lowed by  his  twenty  men,  sprang  over  the  starboard 
bulwarks,  and  fell  upon  the  eneniy  in  the  rear. 
Finding  themselves  between  an  enemy  in  front 
and  rear,  they  could  do  no  more  ;  for  it  was  sure 
death  to  remain  where  they  were,  and  they  fled 
precipitately  to  the  forecastle. 

"  Quarter !  "  shouted  these  men,  and  the  same 
cry  came  from  the  other  parts  of  the  deck. 

"  Haul  down  the  flag,  Mr.  Brookfield  ! "  said  the 
commander  in  a  feeble  tone. 

The  first  lieutenant  of  the  Tallahatchie,  with 
his  handkerchief  tied  around  his  leg,  directed  a 
wounded  quartermaster  to  strike  the  colors,  and 
three  tremendous  cheers  from  the  victorious  crew 
of  the  Bellevite  rent  the  air.  Captain  Breaker 
had  come  on  board  of  the  enemy,  sword  in  hand, 
and  had  conducted  himself  as  bravely  as  the  un- 
fortunate commander  of  the  prize. 

The  moment  he  saw  Christy  he  rushed  to  him 
with  both  hands  extended,  and  with  a  smile  upon 


I 


186  A   VICTOEIOUS   UNION 

his  face.  The  four  hands  were  interlocked,  but 
not  a  word  was  spoken  for  the  feelings  of  both 
were  too  big  for  utterance.  A  loyal  quartermaster 
was  ordered  to  hoist  the  American  ensign  over  the 
Confederate  flag  which  had  just  been  hauled  down. 

The  situation  on  board  of  the  prize  was  so  terri- 
ble that  there  was  no  danger  of  an  attempt  to  re- 
capture the  vessel,  and  immediate  attention  was 
given  to  the  care  of  the  wounded,  the  survivors  in 
each  vessel  performing  this  duty  under  its  own 
officers. 

Mr.  Brookfield,  the  executive  officer  of  the  Tal- 
lahatcliie,  was  wounded  in  the  leg  below  the  knee, 
but  he  did  not  regard  himself  as  disabled,  and  su- 
l^erintended  the  work  of  caring  for  the  sufferers. 
Mr.  Hungerford,  the  second  lieutenant,  appeared 
to  be  the  only  principal  officer  who  had  escaped 
uninjured;  wliile  Mr.  Len wold,  the  third  lieuten- 
ant, had  his  arm  in  a  sling  in  consequence  of  a 
wound  received  from  a  splinter  in  the  early  part 
of  the  action.  These  gentlemen,  who  had  seemed 
like  demons  only  a  few  minutes  before,  so  earnest 
were  they  in  the  discharge  of  their  duties,  were 
now  as  tender  and  devoted  as  so  many  women. 

Captain  Breaker  directed  his  own  officers  to  re- 


THE    lieutenant's    DARING    EXPLOIT        187 

turn  to  the  deck  of  the  Bellevite  and  provide  for 
the  wounded  there  ;  but  they  were  few  in  num- 
ber compared  with  those  strewed  about  the  deck 
of  the  prize.  While  the  Confederate  ship  had 
been  unable  to  discharge  her  guns,  and  the  officers 
were  using  their  utmost  exertions  to  repair  the  dis- 
abled steering  apparatus,  the  Bellevite  had  had  a 
brief  intermission  of  the  din  of  battle,  during 
which  the  wounded  had  been  carried  below  where 
the  surgeon  and  his  mates  had  attended  to  their 
injuries. 

It  was  ascertained  that  only  six  men  had  been 
killed  during  the  action,  and  their  silent  forms 
had  been  laid  out  in  the  waist.  Seventeen  men 
were  in  their  berths  in  the  hospital  or  on  the 
tables  of  the  surgeon,  eight  of  whom  had  been 
wounded  by  the  muskets  and  revolvers  of  the 
enemy  as  the  ship  came  alongside  the  prize.  Four 
others  had  just  been  borne  to  the  cockpit  with 
wounds  from  pikes  and  cutlasses. 

The  loss  of  the  enemy  was  at  least  triple  that  of 
the  Bellevite,  a  large  number  of  whom  had  fallen 
before  the  murderous  discharge  of  the  thirty- 
pounder  on  the  quarter-deck,  which  had  been  in- 
tended to  decimate  the  ranks  of  the  loyal  boarders ; 


188  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

and,  raking  the  column  as  the  men  poured  into  the 
ship,  it  would  probably  have  laid  low  more  than 
one  in  ten  of  the  number.  This  was  an  original 
scheme  of  Caj^tain  Rombold ;  and  but  for  the  cool- 
ness and  deliberation  of  Captain  Breaker,  and  the 
daring  of  his  chief  officer,  it  must  have  been  a  ter- 
rible success.  As  it  was,  the  Confederate  com- 
mander, who  was  the  only  foreign  officer  on  board, 
"  had  been  hoisted  by  his  own  petard." 

Christy  had  done  all  that  required  his  attention 
on  board  of  the  Belle vite,  and  he  paid  another 
visit  to  the  deck  of  the  Tallahatchie,  where  he  de- 
sired to  obtain  some  information  which  would 
enable  him  the  better  to  understand  the  action 
which  had  just  been  fought.  He  was  especially 
anxious  to  ascertain  the  condition  of  the  Arm- 
strong gun  which  had  been  disabled  by  the  first 
shot  of  Blumenhoff  with  the  midship  Parrot.  As 
he  went  on  deck,  he  saw  Captain  Rombold,  seated 
in  an  arm-chair  his  cabin  steward  had  brought  up 
for  him,  with  his  right  leg  resting  on  a  camp  stool. 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Passford,"  said  tlie 
wounded  commander,  with  a  slight  smile  on  his 
pale  face.  "  Comment  allez-vous  ce  matinf''  (How 
do  you  do  this  morning?) 


THE   lieutenant's    DAlllNG    EXPLOIT        189 

"  Tres  Men,  Monsieur  le  capitaine.  Je  suis  Men 
fdche  que  vous  etes  Messe.  (Very  well,  Captain.  I 
ani  very  sorry  that  you  are  wounded.)  You  need 
the  attention  of  the  surgeon,  sir,"  replied  the  loyal 
officer. 

"I  take  my  turn  with  my  men,  Mr.  Passford, 
and  my  officers  do  the  same.  The  fortune  of  war 
is  with  you  again,  and  I  congratulate  you  on  the 
success  which  has  attended  you.  I  saw  that  it 
was  you  who  upset  my  plan  for  receiving  your 
boarders.  I  was  confident,  with  that  device  of 
mine,  I  should  be  able  to  beat  off  your  boarders, 
and  I  intended  to  carry  your  deck  by  boarding 
you  in  turn.  I  think  your  commander  can  give 
you  the  credit  of  winning  the  victory  for  the 
Bellevite  in  his  despatches  ;  for  I  should  have 
killed  more  of  your  men  with  that  thirty-pounder 
than  you  did  of  mine,  for  I  should  have  raked  the 
column.  You  saved  the  day  for  the  United  States 
when  3^ou  ran  up  the  mizzen  rigging  and  unmasked 
my  battery.  You  are  a  gentleman  and  a  magnani- 
mous enemy,  Mr.  Passford,  and  I  congratulate 
you  on  your  promotion,  which  is  sure  to  come. 
But  yon  look  ^^ale  this  morning." 

"  One  of  your  revolvers  had  very  nearly  pinked 


190  A   VICTORIOUS   UNIOK 

me  when  I  was  in  the  rigging ;  for  the  ball  passed 
between  my  arm  and  my  side,  and  took  out  a  piece 
of  the  former,  Captain  Rombold,"  replied  Christy, 
who  was  beginning  to  feel  languid  from  the  loss 
of  blood,  for  the  drops  of  red  fluid  were  cbopping 
from  the  ends  of  his  fingers.  "But  you  exagger- 
ate the  service  I  rendered ;  for  Captain  Breaker, 
suspecting  something  from  the  position  in  which 
yoar  men  were  drawn  nj),  had  di'opped  a  hawser 
port,  and  inteuded  to  look  through  the  aperture 
made  by  one  of  our  solid  shots.  He  would  have 
discovered  your  trap." 

"He  could  not  have  seen  the  gun  or  the  men."' 
At  that  moment  Christy  sank   down  upon  the 
deck. 


A   MAGNANIMOUS   ENEMY  191 


CHAPTER  XVII 


A  MAGNANIMOUS  ENEISIY 


It  had  not  occurred  to  Christy  Passford  before 
Captain  Rombold  mentioned  it  that  his  daring 
exphiit  had  in  any  especial  manner  assisted  in  tlie 
final  and  glorious  result  of  the  action.  He  was 
confident  tliat,  if  he  had  not  unmasked  the  plan 
of  the  Confederate  commander,  Captain  Breaker 
would  have  discovered  it,  and  perhaps  had  ah'eady 
done  so  when,  without  any  order,  he  had  impetu- 
ously leaped  over  the  rail,  followed  by  a  portion 
of  the  second  division,  urged  forward  by  lieuten- 
ant Walbrook,  to  capture  the  gun  before  it  could 
be  discharged. 

He  realized,  as  the  thought  flashed  through  his 
brain  like  a  bolt  of  lightning,  that  the  Confederate 
commander's  scheme  must  be  counteracted  on  the 
instant,  or  Captain  Breaker  might  give  the  com- 
mand to  board,  for  which  the  impatient  seamen  on 
his  deck  were  waiting.  He  had  accomplished  his 
purpose  in  a  iew  seconds ;  and  the  enemy's  force, 


192  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

huddled  together  on  the  starboard  side,  were  sud- 
denly piled  up  in  a  heap  on  the  planks,  weltering 
in  their  gore,  and  a  large  proportion  of  them  killed. 

Captain  Ronibold  was  standing  abreast  of  the 
stump  of  his  mizzen  mast  observing  the  whole 
affair,  and  he  had  a  better  opportunity  to  observe 
it  than  any  other  person  on  the  deck  of  either  ship. 
He  had  ordered  up  his  men  to  receive  the  boarders 
on  the  quarter-deck  when  the  gun  was  discharged, 
and  before  he  believed  it  could  be  done.  Christy 
had  only  to  reverse  the  direction  of  the  carriage, 
hastily  sight  the  piece,  and  pull  the  lanyard.  The 
missiles  with  which  the  thirty-pounder  was  loaded 
cut  down  the  advancing  column,  rushing  to 'obey 
their  commander's  order,  and  then  carried  death 
and  destruction  into  the  crowd  of  seamen  in  their 
rear. 

"  Good  Heavens,  Mr.  Passford  !  "  exclaimed  the 
Confederate  commander,  rising  with  difficulty  from 
his  seat.     "  You  are  badly  wounded  ! " 

"  Not  badly,  Captain  Rombold,"  replied  the 
young  officer,  gathering  up  his  remaining  strength, 
and  resting  his  right  arm  upon  the  planks. 

"  But  my  dear  fellow,  you  are  bleeding  to  deatli, 
and  the  blood  is  runnin"-  in  a  stream  from  the  ends 


A   MAGNANIMOUS   ENEMY  193 

of  the  fingers  on  your  left  hand  ! "  continued  the 
Confederate  commander,  apparently  as  full  of 
sympathy  and  kindness  as  though  the  sufferer 
had  been  one  of  his  own  officers.  "  Gill !  "  he 
called  to  his  steward,  who  was  assisting  in  the 
removal  of  the  injured  seamen.  "  My  compli- 
ments to  Dr.  Davidson,  and  ask  him  to  come  on 
deck  instantly." 

Christy  had  hardly  noticed  the  ball  which  passed 
through  the  fleshy  part  of  his  arm  above  the  elbow 
at  the  time  it  struck  him.  While  he  kept  the 
wounded  member  raised  the  blood  was  absorbed 
by  his  clothing.  It  had  been  painful  from  the 
first ;  but  the  degree  of  fortitude  with  which  a 
wounded  person  in  battle  endures  suffering  amount- 
ing to  agony  is  almost  incredible.  So  many  had 
been  killed,  and  so  many  had  lost  legs  and  arms 
on  both  sides,  that  it  seemed  weak  and  pusillani- 
mous to  complain,  or  even  mention  what  he  re- 
garded as  only  a  slight  wound. 

"  This  is  the  executive  officer  of  the  Bellevite, 
Dr.  Davidson,"  said  Captain  Rombold  when  the 
surgeon  appeared,  not  three  minutes  after  he  had 
been  sent  for.  "  But  he  is  a  gentleman  in  every 
sense  of  the  word,  and  the  bravest  of  the  brave. 


194  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

It  was  he  who  defeated  my  scheme  ;  but  I  admire 
and  respect  him.     Attend  to  him  at  once,  doctor." 

"  If  he  saved  the  day  for  the  Yankees,  it  is  a 
pity  that  his  wound  had  not  killed  him,"  added 
the  surgeon,  with  a  pleasant  smile  on  his  hand- 
some face.  "  But  that  is  taking  the  patriotic 
rather  than  the  humane  view  of  his  case." 

"It  would  have  been  better  for  us,  and  espe- 
cially for  me,  if  he  had  been  killed ;  but  I  am  sin- 
cerely glad  that  he  was  not,"  added  the  commander. 

"  Thank  you.  Captain  Rombold,"  said  Christy. 
"  You  are  the  most  magnanimous  of  enemies,  and 
it  is  a  pleasure  to  fight  such  men  as  you  are." 

"  Good-morning,  Mr.  Passford,"  continued  Dr. 
Davidson,  as  he  took  the  right  hand  of  the  patient. 
"  I  like  to  serve  a  brave  man,  on  whichever  side 
he  fights,  when  the  action  is  finished." 

"  You  are  very  kind,  doctor,"  added  Christy 
faintly. 

With  the  assistance  of  Gill,  the  surgeon  removed 
the  coat  of  the  lieutenant,  and  tore  off  the  shirt 
from  the  wounded  arm. 

"  Not  a  bad  wound  at  all,  Mr.  Passford,"  said 
Dr.  Davidson,  after  he  had  exaimed  it.  "  But  it 
has  been  too  long  neglected,  and  it  would  not  have 


A  MAGNANIMOUS   ENEMY  195 

given  you  half  the  trouble  if  you  had  taken  it  to 
your  surgeon  as  soon  as  the  action  was  decided. 
You  have  lost  some  blood,  and  that  makes  you 
faint.  You  will  have  to  lie  in  your  berth  a  few 
days,  which  might  have  been  spared  to  you  if  you 
had  had  it  attended  to  sooner." 

The  doctor  sent  for  needed  articles  ;  and  as  soon 
as  Gill  brought  them  he  dressed  the  wound,  after 
giving  the  patient  a  restorative  which  made  him 
feel  much  better.  While  the  surgeon  was  still  at 
work  on  his  arm,  Captain  Breaker  rushed  in  desper- 
ate haste  to  the  scene  of  operations,  for  some  one 
had  informed  him  that  the  surgeon  of  the  Talla- 
hatchie was  dressing  a  wound  on  his  executive 
ofhcer. 

"  Merciful  Heaven,  Mr.  Passford  !  "  exclaimed 
the  loyal  commander.     "  Are  you  wounded  ?  " 

"  Nothing  but  a  scratch  in  the  arm.  Captain. 
Don't  bother  about  me,"  replied  Christy,  whose 
spirits  had  been  built  up  by  the  medicine  Dr. 
Davidson  had  given  him  ;  but  he  did  not  know 
that  it  was  half  brandy,  the  odor  of  which  was  dis- 
guised by  the  mixture  of  some  other  ingredient. 

"  I  did  not  know  that  you  were  wounded,  my 
dear  boy,"  said  his  commander  tenderly ;  so  ten- 


k 


196  A  VICTORIOUS    UNION 

deiiy  tliat  the  patient  could  hardly  restrain  the 
tears  which  were  struo^crlinw  for  an  outflow. 

"Mr.  Watts,"  called  Captain  Breaker  to  the 
chief  steward  of  the  Bellevite,  who  happened  to  he 
the  first  person  he  saw  on  the  deck  of  his  own  ship. 

"  On  deck,  Captain,"  replied  the  steward,  touch- 
ing his  cap  to  the  commander. 

"  My  compliments  to  Dr.  Linscott,  and  ask  him 
to  come  to  the  deck  of  the  prize  without  any 
delay,"  added  the  captain. 

Such  a  message  implied  an  emergency ;  and  the 
surgeon  of  the  Bellevite,  who  was  a  man  well 
along  in  years,  hastened  with  all  the  speed  he 
could  command  to  the  place  indicated.  The  cap- 
tain, who  had  heard  the  name  of  the  Confederate 
medical  officer,  introduced  his  own  surgeon,  with 
an  apology  for  summoning  him. 

"  My  executive  officer,  the  2)atientin  your  hands, 
is  the  son  of  my  best  friend  on  earth,  for  whom  I 
sailed  for  years  before  the  war,  and  I  lioj^e  you 
will  pardon  my  great  anxiety  for  your  patient.  Dr. 
Davidson,"  said  he. 

"  The  most  natural  thing  in  the  world.  Captain 
Breaker,  and  no  apology  or  explanation  is  neces- 
sary," politely  added  the  Confederate  surgeon,  as 


A   MAGNANIMOUS    ENEMY  197 

he  and  Dr.  Linscott  sliook  hands.  "  My  patient  is 
not  sever-^ly  wounded ;  but  I  should  be  hapjiy  to 
have  you  examine  his  injury.  It  was  too  long 
neglected,  and  he  is  rather  weak  from  the  loss 
of  blood." 

"Mr.  Passford  was  too  proud  a  young  man  to 
mention  his  wound  or  to  call  upon  the  surgeon  of 
his  ship  ;  but  I  was  determined  that  he  should  no 
longer  be  neglected,"  interposed  Captain  Rombold. 

Christy  was  aware  that  the  two  commanders  had 
never  met  before,  and  he  introduced  them  while 
Dr.  Linscott  was  examining  his  arm.  They  were 
both  brave  and  noble  men,  and  each  received  the 
other  in  the  politest  and  most  gentlemanly  manner. 
It  was  evident  to  all  who  witnessed  the  interview 
that  they  met  with  mutual  respect,  though  half  an 
hour  before  they  had  been  engaged  in  a  desperate 
fight  the  one  against  the  other.  But  enemies  can 
be  magnanimous  to  each  other  without  any  sacri- 
fice of  their  principles  on  either  side. 

"  I  thank  you  most  heartily.  Captain  Rombold, 
for  your  kindness  to  my  principal  officer;  and  if  the 
opportunity  is  ever  presented  to  me,  I  shall  recip- 
rocate to  the  extent  of  my  ability,"  continued 
Captain   Breaker.      "  You  have    been  more  than 


198  A   VICTOKIOUS   UNION 

magnanimous;  you  have  been  a  self-sacrificing 
Christian,  for  you  have  required  your  surgeon  to 
bind  up  the  wound  of  an  enemy  before  he  assuaged 
your  own.  This  is  Christianit}^  in  war;  and  I 
shall  strive  to  emulate  your  noble  example." 

"  You  are  extremely  considerate,  Captain;  and 
we  are  friends  till  the  demands  of  duty  require  us 
to  become  technical  enemies  on  the  quarter-deck 
each  of  his  own  ship,"  said  Captain  Rombold,  as 
he  grasped  the  hand  of  the  loyal  commander. 

"  I  heartily  ap]3rove  of  the  treatment  of  my  friend 
Dr.  Davidson,  and  fully  indorse  his  opinion  that 
the  wound  of  Mr.  Passford  is  not  a  dangerous  or 
very  severe  one,"  interposed  Dr.  Linscott.  "  I 
agree  with  him  that  the  patient  had  better  spend  a 
couple  of  days  or  more  in  his  berth." 

The  Confederate  surgeon  had  finished  the  dress- 
ing of  Christy's  wound,  and  he  was  in  a  hurry  to 
return  to  his  duty  in  the  cockpit.  He  shook  liands 
with  Dr.  Linscott,  and  both  of  them  hastened  to 
their  posts.  The  patient  had  been  seated  on  a 
bench,  and  Captain  Rombold  had  returned  to  his 
former  position.  He  had  tied  his  handkerchief 
around  his  thigh,  and  both  of  them  appeared  to  be 
very  comfortable. 


A    MAGNANIMOUS    ENEMY  199 

"  Well,  Mr.  Passford,  if  you  are  ready  to  return 
to  the  Bellevite,  I  will  assist  you  to  the  ward 
room,"  said  Captain  Breaker. 

"  Excuse  me,  Captain,  if  I  detain  you  a  few 
minutes,  for  I  desire  to  settle  a  point  in  dispute 
between  INIr.  Passford  and  myself,  though  it  is 
doubtless  his  extreme  modesty  which  creates  this 
difference  between  us,"  interposed  the  Confederate 
commander. 

He  proceeded  to  state  his  view  of  the  exploit  of 
Christy,  by  which  he  had  rendered  inutile  the 
scheme  to  slaughter  the  loj-al  boarders. 

"  I  was  absolutely  delighted.  Captain  Breaker, 
when  I  realized  that  you  intended  to  board  the 
Tallahatchie,"  he  continued.  "I  was  confident 
that  I  should  defeat  your  boarders,  and  board  and 
carry  your  deck  in  my  turn.  I  have  not  yet 
changed  my  view  of  the  situation.  You  can 
judge  of  my  consternation  when  I  saw  Mr.  Pass- 
ford leap  into  the  mizzen  rigging  with  the  agility 
of  a  cat,  and  especially  when  the  order  to  board  my 
ship  was  withheld." 

"  Mr.  Passford  acted  without  orders,  for  I  should 
hardly  have  sent  him  into  the  rigging  while  we 
were  alongside,  for  it  was  almost  sure  death,  for 


200  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

your  men,  armed  with  muskets  and  revolvers,  were 
all  looking  for  the  firing  of  the  thirty-pounder," 
added  Captain  Breaker. 

"  He  was  as  nimble  as  a  cat,  and  it  seemed  to 
me  that  he  was  twice  as  quick.  But  all  he  needed 
to  unearth  my  scheme  was  a  single  glance  at  the 
gun  and  its  crew  on  the  quarter-deck.  In  the 
twinkling  of  an  eye  he  dropped  to  the  deck,  called 
his  boarders,  and  leaped  over  the  rail  into  our 
midst.  It  was  the  most  daring  and  quickly  exe- 
cuted manoeuvre  I  ever  observed,"  continued  the 
Confederate  commander  with  enthusiasm. 

"  I  quite  agree  with  you,  Captain  Rombold," 
replied  Captain  Breaker,  as  he  looked  with  an 
affectionate  expression  upon  the  pale  face  of  the 
patient. 

"  Now,  Mr.  Passford  chooses  to  regard  his  bril- 
liant exploit  as  a  matter  of  little  consequence,  for 
he  declares  that  you  had  discovered,  or  would  have 
discovered,  my  plan  to  annihilate  your  boarders." 

"  Mr.  Passford  is  entirely  in  the  wrong  so  far  as 
I  am  concerned,"  protested  Captain  Breaker  with 
a  good  deal  of  earnestness.  "  To  make  the  matter 
clear,  I  will  explain  my  own  actions.  When  the 
Bellevite  ranged  alongside  the  Tallahatchie,  every- 


A  MAGNANIMOUS    ENEMY  201 

tiling  was  in  readiness  for  boarding.  I  was  about 
to  give  the  order  to  do  tins  when  I  discovered  that 
the  crew  of  your  ship  were  drawn  up  on  the  star- 
board side,  instead  of  the  port,  and  it  suggested  to 
me  that  something  was  wrong,  and  I  withheld  the 
command.  In  order  to  obtain  more  information,  I 
went  further  aft,  where  I  hoped  to  get  a  view  of 
a  portion  of  the  deck  of  your  ship.  I  had  raised  a 
hawser  port  with  the  assistance  of  a  quartermaster ; 
but  I  could  see  only  the  wreck  of  your  spare  wheel. 
At  this  moment  Mr.  Passford  was  in  the  mizzen 
I'igging.     He  did  all ;  I  did  nothing." 

"  I  hope  your  report  of  the  action  will  do  him 
full  justice,  for  he  deserves  promotion,"  added 
Captain  Rombold. 

"  My  admiration  of  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Passford 
is  equal  to  yours." 

They  separated  after  some  further  conversation, 
and  her  commander  and  Christy  returned  to  the 
Bellevite. 


202  THE   REIGN   OF    CHRISTIANITY 


CHAPTER   XVIII 

THE   REIGN   OF    CHRISTIANITY 

Captain  Breaker  took  Christy  by  his  right 
arm  to  support  him  as  they  returned  to  the  deck 
of  the  Bellevite,  and  to  assist  him  over  the  bulwarks. 
The  wounded  had  all  been  cared  for,  and  the  crew 
were  swabbing  up  the  deck  ;  but  the  moment  they 
discovered  the  caj^tain  and  the  executive  officer  on 
the  rail,  they  suspended  their  labor  and  all  eyes 
were  fixed  upon  the  latter. 

"  Three  cheers  for  Mr.  Passford !  "  shouted  the 
quartermaster  who  had  been  at  the  wheel  when 
Christy  sprang  into  the  mizzen  rigging. 

Three  heartier  cheers  were  never  given  on  the 
deck  of  any  ship  than  those  which  greeted  the 
hero  of  the  action  as  he  ajDpeared  on  the  rail.  Not 
satisfied  with  this  demonstration,  they  all  swung 
their  caps,  and  then  gave  two  volleys  more.  There 
was  not  a  man  that  did  not  take  part  in  this  triple 
salute,  and  even  tlie  officers  joined  with  the  sea- 
men in  this  tribute. 

202 


THE   REIGN   OF   CHRISTIANITY  203 

"  I  hope  Mr.  Passford  is  not  badly  wounded, 
sir,"  said  Quartermaster  Thompson,  touching  his 
cap  most  respectfully.  "And  I  speak  for  the 
whole  ship's  company,  sir." 

"Mr.  Passford  is  not  very  severely  wounded, 
Thompson,"  replied  the  commander,  while  Christy 
was  acknowledging  the  salute.  "  He  did  not  men- 
tion the  fact  that  he  was  hurt,  and  lost  more  blood 
than  was  necessary,  so  that  he  is  very  weak." 

The  quartermaster  reported  the  answer  of  the 
captain  to  the  ship's  company,  whereupon  they 
gave  three  more  cheers,  as  Christy  and  his  sup- 
porter descended  to  the  deck ;  and  tlie  hero  ac- 
knowledged the  salute.  At  the  companion  they 
encountered  Dr.  Linscott,  who  had  just  come  on 
deck  from  the  cockpit.  Graines  was  standing 
near,  waiting  for  an  opportunity  to  speak  to  his 
late  associate  in  the  expedition. 

"  You  gave  us  a  bad  fright,  Mr.  Passford,"  said 
the  surgeon,  as  he  took  the  right  hand  of  the 
wounded  oflicer.  "  But  you  will  do  very  well  now. 
I  have  something  here  which  will  keep  you  com- 
fortable ;  "  and  he  proceeded  to  place  the  left  arm 
in  a  sling,  which  he  adjusted  with  great  care,  pass- 
ing a  band  from  it  around  his  body  so  as  to  pre- 


204  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

vent  the  member  from  swinging,  or  otherwise  get- 
ting out  of  position. 

"  Is  it  necessary  that  I  should  take  to  my  berth, 
Dr.  Linscott  ?  "  asked  the  patient.  "  I  am  feeling 
very  nicely  now ;  and  since  my  arm  was  dressed  it 
gives  me  very  little  pain." 

"  Dr.  Davidson  ordered  you  to  your  berth  be- 
cause you  were  so  weak  you  could  not  stand," 
replied  the  surgeon. 

"But  I  have  got  over  that,  and  I  feel  stronger 
now." 

"  We  will  see  about  that  later,  Mr.  Passford. 
Captain  Breaker,  all  our  wounded  except  a  few 
light  cases,  which  my  mates  can  treat  as  well  as  I 
can,  are  disposed  of,"  added  the  doctor. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it,"  replied  the  captain. 

"  May  I  stay  on  deck,  doctor?"  asked  Christy, 
who  did  not  like  the  idea  of  being  shut  up  in  his 
stateroom  while  the  arrangements  for  the  disposal 
of  the  prize  were  in  progress.    ' 

"  You  may  for  the  present  if  you  feel  able  to  do 
so,"  answered  the  surgeon.  "  But  you  must  have 
a  berth-sack  or  an  easy  chair  on  deck,  and  keep 
very  quiet." 

"  Punch  !  "  called  the  commander ;  and  this  was 


THE   REIGN   OF   CHRISTIANITY  205 

the  name  of  the  cabin  steward,  who  was  not,  how- 
ever, as  bibulous  as  his  surname  indicated.  "  Pass 
the  word  for  Punch." 

The  steward,  like  everybody  else  on  board  able 
to  be  there,  was  on  deck,  and  immediately  pre- 
sented himself. 

"  Bring-  up  the  large  easy-chair  at  my  desk,  and 
place  it  abreast  of  the  mizzen  mast,"  added  the 
commander. 

Something  else  called  off  the  attention  of  Cap- 
tain Breaker  at  this  moment,  and  the  surgeon 
remained  in  conversation  till  Puncli  reported  the 
chair  in  position.  Dr.  Linscott  conducted  Christy 
to  it,  and  adjusted  him  comfortably,  sending  for 
a  blanket  to  cover  his  lower  limbs.  The  captain 
soon  returned,  and  saw  that  the  patient  was  easy 
in  a  position  where  he  could  see  all  that  transpired 
on  the  deck. 

"  As  you  have  finished  your  duties  on  board  of 
the  Bellevite,  I  desire  to  reciprocate  the  kindness 
of  Captain  Rombold  in  attending  to  Mr.  Passford 
when  perhaps  he  needed  the  attention  of  his  own 
surgeon  more  than  our  patient,  and  I  desire  to  have 
you  dress  the  Confederate  commander's  wound," 
said  Captain  Breaker. 


206  A   VICTOEIOUS    UNION 

"  With  all  my  heart !  "  exclaimed  the  surgeon 
earnestly.  "  I  will  be  with  you  in  a  moment,  as 
soon  as  I  procure  my  material ;  "  and  he  hurried 
below. 

"You  will  find  me  with  Captain  Rombold," 
added  the  commander,  as  he  hastened  to  the  deck 
of  the  prize. 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you  again,  Captain  Breaker," 
said  the  Confederate  chief  very  politely. 

"  I  have  come  to  tender  the  services  of  our  sur- 
geon, who  has  disposed  of  all  our  seriously  injured 
men,  to  dress  your  wound,  in  the  first  instance,  for 
I  fear  you  were  more  in  need  of  such  assistance 
than  my  officer  when  you  so  magnanimously  called 
Dr.  Davidson  to  dress  Mr.  Passford's  wound.  He 
will  be  here  in  a  few  minutes,"  returned  Captain 
Breaker,  proceeding  to  business  at  once. 

"  I  am  exceedingly  obliged  to  you,  Captain,  for 
I  am  beginning  to  feel  the  necessity  of  attending 
to  my  wound.  The  thirty-pounder,  which  was  to 
have  reduced  the  ranks  of  your  crew  l)y  one-half,  as 
I  am  assured  it  would  have  done,  made  terrible 
havoc  among  my  own  men.  In  addition  to  the 
dead  who  have  already  been  committed  to  the  deep, 
we  have  a  great  number  wounded,"  replied  Captain 


THE    REIGN    OF   CHillSTIANITY  207 

Rombold.  "  The  cockpit  is  full,  and  I  have  given 
up  my  cabin  to  the  surgeon,  who  is  extremely  busy. 
I  accept  the  services  of  Dr.  Linscott  very  grate- 
fully." 

"  He  is  extremely  happy  to  serve  you." 

By  this  time  the  surgeon  of  the  Bellevite  ap- 
peared with  one  of  his  mates,  and  some  pleasant 
words  passed  between  him  and  his  new  patient. 

"  Now,  where  is  your  wound,  Captain  Rombold?" 
asked  Dr.  Linscott. 

"  In  the  right  thigh,"  replied  the  patient ;  and  the 
bullet  hole  in  his  trousers  indicated  the  precise  spot. 

"  It  will  be  necessary  to  remove  your  clothing. 
Captain,"  continued  the  surgeon. 

"My  cabin  is  already  turned  into  a  hospital,  and 
Dr.  Davidson  is  hard  at  work  there,"  replied  the 
patient.  "  I  shall  have  to  send  for  a  berth-sack, 
and  let  you  operate  on  deck,  for  " — 

"My  cabin  is  entirely  at  your  service,  Captain 
Rombold,"  interposed  the  commander  of  the  Belle- 
vite. "  It  will  afford  me  the  very  greatest  pleasure 
in  the  world  to  give  it  up  to  you." 

"  Oh,  no.  Captain  !  "  exclaimed  the  sufferer,  as 
lie  really  was  by  this  time.  "  That  is  too  great  a 
sacrifice." 


208  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

"  Not  at  all ;  do  me  the  very  great  favor  to  ac- 
cept the  use  of  my  cabin,"  persisted  Captain 
Breaker.     "How  shall  we  move  him,  doctor?" 

"  Call  four  of  your  men  ;  we  will  carry  him  to 
your  cabin  in  his  chair,  jnst  as  he  sits  ;  and  we  can 
do  it  without  incommoding  him  at  all,"  answered 
Dr.  Linscott,  as  he  sent  his  mate  to  call  the  men 
required. 

"Really,  CaiDtain," —  the  sufferer  began,  but 
rather  faintly. 

"  The  surgeon  thinks  you  had  better  not  talk 
any  more.  Captain  Rombold,"  interposed  the  com- 
mander. "  Here  are  the  men,  and  we  will  liandle 
you  as  tenderly  as  an  infant." 

"  You  are  as  kind  as  the  mother  of  the  infant," 
added  the  sufferer  with  a  slight  smile  ;  but  he 
made  no  further  opposition. 

The  four  men  lifted  the  chair,  and  the  doctor 
instructed  them  how  to  carry  it.  The  Bellevite 
had  been  moved  aft  a  little  so  as  to  bring  the 
gangways  of  the  two  ships  abreast  of  each  other. 
The  commander  was  so  interested  and  so  full 
of  sympathy  for  his  injured  enemy,  now  a  friend, 
that  he  could  not  refrain  from  assisting  with  his 
own  hands,  and  he  directed  the  operations  of  the 


THE    PvEIGN    OF    CHRISTIANITY  209 

seamen  when  they  came  to  the  steps.  They  lifted 
the  chair  clown  to  the  deck  of  the  ship,  and  then 
it  was  borne  to  the  captain's  cabin. 

The  wounded  commander  was  placed  in  the 
broad  berth  of  the  cabin,  and  the  seamen  sent  on 
deck.-  Dr.  Linscott,  with  the  assistance  of  his 
mate,  proceeded  to  remove  the  clothing  of  the 
patient,  Captain  Breaker  aiding  as  he  would 
hardly  have  thought  of  doing  if  the  sufferer  had 
been  one  of  his  own  officers.  The  injury  proved 
to  be  of  about  the  same  character  as  that  of 
Christy ;  it  was  a  flesh  wound,  but  the  ball  had 
ploughed  deeper  than  in  his  case,  and  was  there- 
fore severe.  A  stimulating  remedy  was  given 
to  the  patient,  and  the  doctor  dressed  the  wound 
with  the  utmost  care,  as  he  always  did,  whether 
the  patient  was  a  commander  or  a  coal-heaver  from 
the  bunkers. 

The  sufferer  had  revived  somewhat  under  the 
influence  of  the  medicine  administered ;  and  after 
taking  the  hand  of  Captain  Rombold,  with  a 
hearty  wish  for  his  early  recovery,  the  captain  of 
the  Bellevite  took  his  leave,  and  went  on  deck. 

He  proceeded  first  to  the  chair  of  the  wounded 
lieutenant,  reporting  to  him  the  condition  of  the 


210  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Confederate  commander.  Christy  was  extremely 
glad  to  hear  so  favorable  a  report  of  the  condition 
of  the  patient,  and  so  expressed  himself  in  the 
heartiest  terms.  "  Federal  "  and  "  Confederate  " 
seemed  to  be  words  without  any  meaning  at  the 
present  time,  for  all  had  become  friends.  The 
officers  were  vying  with  each  other  in  rendering 
kindly  offices  to  the  vanquished,  and  even  the 
seamen  were  doing  what  they  could  to  fraternize 
with  the  crew  of  the  Tallahatchie,  while  both  were 
engaged  in  removing  the  evidences  of  the  hard- 
fought  action. 

It  was  now  only  nine  o'clock  in  the  morning, 
and  six  hours  had  elapsed  since  the  prize,  witli 
the  West  Wind  in  tow,  had  sailed  from  Mobile 
Point  on  what  had  proved  to  be  her  last  voyage  in 
the  service  of  the  Confederacy.  Events  had  suc- 
ceeded each  other  with  great  rapidity,  as  it  may 
require  a  whole  volume  to  report  in  detail  a  naval 
battle  begun  and  ended  in  the  short  space  of  an 
hour. 

The  men  were  piped  to  breakfast ;  and  during 
the  meal  there  was  an  interchange  of  good  feel- 
ing when  it  was  found  that  the  crew  of  the  Talla- 
hatchie had  only  a  short  supply  of  coffee  and  bread, 


THE    REIGN    OF    CHRISTIANITY  211 

intending  to  supply  these  articles  at  Nassau.  Tlie 
loyal  tars  were  as  magnanimous  as  the  officers  of 
both  ships  had  proved  themselves  to  be ;  and  tliey 
passed  the  needed  articles  over  the  rails,  till  they 
exhausted  their  own  supply,  hungry  as  they  were 
after  six  hours  of  active  duty.  The  commander 
discovered  what  his  men  were  doing ;  and  he 
ordered  the  rations  to  be  doubled,  besides  sending 
a  quantity  of  ship  bread  and  coffee  on  board  of  the 
prize.  War  had  mantled  his  savage  front,  and 
Christianity  was  presiding  over  the  conduct  of 
those  who  had  so  recently  been  the  most  deter- 
mined enemies. 

There  was  something  forward  of  the  foremast  to 
remind  all  who  approached  of  the  battle  which 
had  been  fought.  It  was  a  spare  sail  which  cov- 
ered the  silent  and  motionless  forms  of  those 
whose  loyalty  to  their  country  had  led  them 
through  the  gates  of  death  to  "  the  undiscovered 
country,  from  whose  bourn  no  traveller  returns," 
but  whose  fadeless  record  is  inscribed  in  the  hearts 
of  a  grateful  nation. 

During  or  after  a  severe  action  on  board  a  ship 
of  war,  the  dead  are  usually  disposed  of  with  but 
little  or  no  ceremony,  as  the  exigency  of  the  hour 


212  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

may  require,  as  had  been  clone  on  board  of  the 
prize.  But  Captain  Breaker  was  more  consid- 
erate, as  tlie  conditions  permitted  him  to  be ;  and 
the  killed  had  been  sewed  up  in  hammocks,  prop- 
erly weighted. 

"  All  hands  to  bury  the  dead  ;  "  piped  the  boat- 
swain of  the  Bellevite,  when  breakfast  was  fin- 
ished. 

By  this  time  the  deck  had  been  cleaned  up,  and 
dried  off  under  the  warm  sun  which  had  dissipated 
the  fog  and  the  morning  mists.  The  bodies  of  the 
slain  had  been  previously  placed  at  the  port  gang- 
way, covered  with  the  American  flag.  The  sea- 
men removed  their  caps,  the  commander  read  the 
service,  and  the  bodies  were  committed  to  the 
deep.  The  officers  and  seamen  witnessed  the 
ceremony  with  uncovered  heads,  and  in  reverent 
silence. 


COL.    HOMEU    I'ASSFOKU    OF    GLENFIELD      213 


CHAPTER  XIX 

COLONEL    HOMER    PASSFOED    OF   GLENFIELD 

As  soon  as  the  battle  on  the  deck  of  the  Talla- 
hatchie had  been  decided,  Graines,  in  conniiand 
of  the  flanking  party,  had  returned  to  the  engine 
room  of  the  Bellevite.  He  and  his  men  had  fought 
bravely  and  effectively  in  the  action,  though  the 
full  effect  of  the  movement  under  his  charge  could 
not  be  realized  in  the  change  of  circumstances. 
The  engine  of  the  ship  had  now  cooled  off, 
and  Paul  Vapoor  hastened  to  the  deck  to  see  his 
friend  and  crony,  the  news  of  whose  wound 
had  been  conveyed  to  the  engine  room  in  due 
time. 

He  was  heartily  rejoiced  to  find  that  it  was  no 
worse,  and  he  had  news  for  the  patient.  Just  be- 
fore the  burial  of  the  dead  he  had  been  sent  by  the 
commander  to  examine  and  report  upon  the  con- 
dition of  the  engine  of  the  prize.  Captain  Rom- 
bold  had  protected  it  with  chain  cables  dropped 
over  the  side,  so  that  it  remained  uninjured,  and 


214  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

the  British  engineers  declared  that  it  was  in  per- 
fect working  order. 

"  But  whom  do  you  suppose  I  saw  on  board  the 
prize,  Cliristy  ? "  asked  the  chief  engineer,  after 
he  had  incidentally  stated  the  condition  of  the 
engine. 

"  I  cannot  guess ;  but  it  may  have  been  my 
cousin  Corny  Passford,  though  he  has  alwaj's 
been  in  the  military  service  of  the  Confederacy," 
replied  the  wounded  lieutenant. 

"  It  was  not  Corny,  but  his  father,"  added  Paul. 

"  His  father  !  "  exclaimed  Christy.  "  Uncle 
Homer  Passford  ?  ' ' 

"  It  was  he  ;  I  know  him  well,  for  I  used  to 
meet  him  at  Glenfield  in  other  days.  I  am  as 
familiar  with  his  face  as  with  that  of  your  father, 
though  I  have  not  seen  either  of  them  for  over  three 
years." 

"  Where  was  he  ?  What  was  he  doing  ?  "  asked 
Christy  curiously. 

"  He  was  just  coming  up  from  below  ;  and  Mr. 
Hunsrerford,  the  second  lieutenant,  told  me  he  had 
been  turned  out  of  the  captain's  cabin,  which  had 
been  made  into  a  hospital  for  the  wounded,"  added 
Paul.     "  I  had  no  opportunity  to  speak  to  him,  for 


COL.    HOMER   PASSFORD   OF   GLENFIELD        215 

he  averted  his  gaze  and  moved  off  in  another  direc- 
tion as  soon  as  he  saw  me.  He  looked  pale  and 
thin,  as  though  he  had  recently  been  very  sick." 

"  Poor  Uncle  Homer ! "  exclaimed  the  lieu- 
tenant. "  He  has  been  very  unfortunate.  The 
last  time  I  saw  him,  I  conducted  him  to  my 
father's  place  at  Bonnydale,  after  he  had  been  a 
prisoner  on  board  of  the  Chateaugay.  He  was  on 
l^arole  tlien,  and  I  suppose  he  and  Captain  Rom- 
bold  were  both  exchanged." 

"  Doubtless  he  will  tell  you  all  about  it  when 
you  see  him,  as  you  will  soon." 

"  He  had  his  eyes  opened  when  he  passed 
through  New  York  City  with  me,  for  he  did  not 
find  the  grass  growing  in  the  streets,  as  he  had 
expected,  in  spite  of  all  I  had  said  to  him  at  sea. 
He  was  astonished  and  confounded  when  he  found 
business  more  lively  than  ever  before  there  ;  but 
he  remained  as  virulent  a  rebel  as  ever ;  and  I  am 
sure  he  regards  it  as  a  pious  duty  to  stand  by  the 
Southern  Confederacy  as  long  as  there  is  any- 
thing left  of  it.  I  know  no  man  more  sincerely 
religious  than  Uncle  Homer." 

"  He  is  as  good  a  man  as  ever  walked  the  earth," 
added  Paul  heartily. 


216  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

"  For  his  sake,  if  for  no  other  reason,  I  shall  re- 
joice when  this  war  is  over,"  said  Christy,  with  a 
very  sad  expression  on  his  pale  face. 

"  Was  Mr.  Graines  of  any  use  to  you  on  deck, 
Christy  ?"  asked  the  chief  engineer,  as  he  turned 
to  take  his  leave. 

"  He  behaved  himself  like  a  loyal  officer,  and 
fought  like  a  tiger  on  the  deck  of  the  Tallahatchie. 
I  shall  give  a  very  good  report  of  him  to  the  captain 
for  his  conduct  in  the  action,  and  for  his  valuable 
services  in  the  expedition  last  night.  I  did  not 
over-estimate  him  when  I  selected  him  for  both  of 
the  positions  to  which  he  was  appointed." 

"  He  wants  to  see  you,  and  I  told  him  he  should 
come  on  deck  when  I  returned,"  added  Paul,  as  he 
took  the  hand  of  Christy  and  retired. 

"How  do  you  feel  now,  Mr.  Passford?"  asked 
Captain  Breaker,  coming  to  his  side  the  moment 
the  chief  engineer  left  him. 

"I  feel  quite  weak,  but  my  arm  does  not  bother 
me  much.  The  Confederate  surgeon  did  a  good  job 
when  he  dressed  it,"  replied  Christy  with  a  smile. 

"  I  will  get  him  to  send  you  a  second  dose  of  the 
restorative  that  strengthened  you  before,"  said  the 
commander,  as  he  pencilled  a  note,  which  he  tore 


COL.    HOMER   PASSFORD   OF    GLENFIELD       217 

out  of  his  memorandum  book,  and  sent  it  by  Punch 
to  Dr.  Davidson. 

"  Mr.  Vapoor  brought  me  a  piece  of  news,  Cap- 
tain,"  continued  Christy.  "Uncle  Homer  Passford 
is  on  board  of  the  Tallahatchie." 

"  Your  uncle  !  "  exclaimed  the  commander.  "  I 
supposed  he  was  still  on  parole  at  the  house  of 
your  father." 

"I  did  not  know  to  the  contrary  myself,  for  I 
have  had  no  letter  from  my  father  for  a  long  time. 
He  and  Captain  Rombold  must  have  been  ex- 
changed some  time  ago.  Mr.  Vapoor  says  my 
uncle  looks  pale  and  thin,  as  though  he  had 
recently  been  very  sick." 

"  I  am  very  sorry  for  him,  for  he  was  the  equal 
of  your  father  in  every  respect,  except  his  loyalty 
to  his  true  country,"  added  the  captain. 

"Poor  Uncle  Homer!"  exclaimed  Christy,  as  he 
wiped  a  tear  from  his  eye.  "  He  was  the  guest  of 
Captain  Rombold;  but  he  has  been  turned  out  of 
his  cabin  to  make  room  for  the  wounded." 

"  Dr.  Linscott  with  his  two  mates  has  gone  to 
the  assistance  of  Dr.  Davidson,  whose  hands  are 
more  than  full,  and  perhaps  he  will  see  your  uncle. 
Where  is  he  now?"  inquired  the  captain. 


218  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  Mr.  Vapoor  saw  him  on  the  deck,  but  he  did  not 
speak  to  him,  for  Uncle  Homer  avoided  him.  The 
ward  room  of  the  prize  has  at  least  two  wounded 
officers  in  it,  and  I  don't  know  how  many  more,  so 
that  my  poor  uncle  has  no  place  to  lay  liis  head  if 
he  is  sick,"  said  Christy,  full  of  sympathy  for  his 
father's  brother. 

"  That  will  never  do  !  "  exclaimed  the  comman- 
der bruskly.  "  lie  shall  have  a  place  to  lay  his 
liead,  sick  or  well.  Captain  Rombold  occupies  one 
of  the  staterooms  in  my  cabin,  and  your  uncle  shall 
have  the  other." 

"But  where  will  you  berth,  captain?"  demanded 
Christy. 

"  No  matter  where !  I  will  go  and  find  your 
uncle  at  once  ;  "  and  Christy  saw  him  next  mount- 
ing the  gangway  steps. 

The  commander  had  no  difficulty  in  finding  the 
gentleman  he  sought ;  for  he  was  wandering  about 
the  deck  of  the  prize,  and  no  one  seemed  to  take 
any  notice  of  him.  He  had  been  the  honored 
guest  of  Captain  Rombold,  though  he  had  hardly 
shown  himself  on  deck  since  the  steamer  left 
Mobile,  and  few  of  the  ship's  company  seemed  to 
know  who  he  was. 


COL.    HOMER    PASSFORD    OF   GLENFIELD        219 

"  Good-morning,  Colonel  Passford,*'  said  Cap- 
tain Breaker,  as  he  confronted  him  in  the  midst 
of  the  ruins  of  the  spare  wheel,  the  wrecks  of  the 
niizzen  mast,  and  the  bulwarks  on  the  quarterdeck. 

"  Good-morning,  Captain  Breaker,"  replied  the 
planter,  taking  the  offered  hand  of  the  commander, 
with  a  feeble  effort  to  smile.  "  Of  course  I  knew 
that  you  were  near,  for  you  have  given  abundant 
proofs  of  your  presence  on  board  of  this  vessel." 

"  But  we  meet  now  as  friends,  and  not  as 
enemies.  I  know  that  you  have  done  your  duty 
to  your  country  as  you  understand  it,  and  I  have 
done  the  same,"  continued  the  commander,  still 
holdinof  the  hand  of  the  colonel. 

"You  have  been  very  kind  to  Captain  Rombold, 
Gill  informs  me,  and  " — 

"He  set  the  example  for  me,  and  I  have  striven 
to  follow  it,"  interposed  the  captain.  "  But  his 
generosity  was  first  exercised  in  behalf  of  your 
nephew,  Christy." 

"  The  steward  informed  me  that  Christy  had 
been  w^ounded ;  and  Captain  Rombold  assured  me 
that  the  Tallahatchie  was  captured  in  consequence 
of  a  very  daring  act  on  tlie  part  of  my  nephew," 
added  the  planter. 


220  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  I  should  not  state  it  quite  so  strongly  as  that, 
though  his  action  certainly  enabled  us  to  capture 
the  ship  sooner,  and  with  less  loss  on  our  part  than 
would  otherwise  have  been  the  case.  As  to  the 
ultimate  result  of  the  battle.  Captain  Rombold 
and  myself  would  disagree.  But  with  your  assent. 
Colonel  Passford,  I  think  we  had  better  cease  to 
discuss  the  action,  which  is  now  an  event  of  the 
past.  I  am  informed  that  you  have  been  com- 
pelled to  leave  the  captain's  cabin." 

"  And  I  cannot  find  a  resting  place  in  the  ward 
room  or  steerage,"  added  the  planter. 

"  I  have  come  on  board  of  the  prize  to  invite  you 
to  share  my  cabin  with  Captain  Rombold,  for  I 
have  two  staterooms,"  said  Captain  Breaker,  sud- 
denly changing  the  subject  of  conversation. 

"You  are  very  kind,  my  dear  sir;  but  your 
arrangement  would  incommode  yourself,"  sug- 
gested the  colonel. 

"  My  cabin  is  quite  large,  and  I  shall  be  able  to 
make  ample  accommodations  for  myself,"  persisted 
the  commander,  as  he  took  the  arm  of  the  planter. 
"Permit  me  to  conduct  you  to  your  new  quarters." 

"As  I  am  once  more  a  prisoner" — 

"Hardly,"  interposed  the  captain,  as  he  led  the 


COL.    HOMER    PASSFOED    OF    GLENFIELD        221 

planter  to  the  gangway,  "  I  shall  regard  you  as  a 
non-combatant,  at  least  for  the  present ;  and  I  de- 
sire only  to  make  you  comfortable.  The  flag- 
officer  must  decide  upon  your  status." 

Colonel  Passford  allowed  himself  to  be  conducted 
to  the  deck  of  the  Belle vite  ;  and  he  was  no  stranger 
on  board  of  the  ship,  for  when  she  was  a  yacht  he 
had  made  several  excursions  in  her  in  company  with 
his  family.  The  first  person  he  observed  was  his 
nephew,  seated  in  his  arm-chair  where  he  could 
overlook  all  that  took  place  on  the  deck.  He 
hastened  to  him,  detaching  his  arm  from  the  hand 
of  the  captain,  and  gave  him  an  affectionate  greeting. 

"  I  was  very  sorry  to  learn  that  you  were  wounded, 
Christy,"  said  he,  holding  the  right  hand  of  the 
young  officer. 

"  Not  badly  wounded,  Uncle  Homer,"  replied 
Christy.     "  I  hope  you  are  well." 

"  I  am  not  very  well,  though  I  do  not  call  myself 
sick.  Have  you  heard  from  your  father  lately, 
Christy  ?  "  asked  his  uncle. 

"  Not  for  a  long  time,  for  no  store-ship  or  other 
vessel  has  come  to  our  squadron  for  several  months, 
though  we  are  waiting  for  a  vessel  at  the  present 
time.     You  look  very  pale  and  thin.  Uncle  Homer." 


222  A  vicTor.rous  union 

"  Perhaps  I  look  worse  than  I  feel,"  replied  the 
planter  with  a  faint  smile.  "  But  I  have  suffered 
a  great  deal  of  anxiety  lately." 

"  Excuse  me,  Colonel  Passford,  but  if  you  will 
allow  me  to  install  you  in  your  stateroom,  you 
will  have  abundance  of  time  to  talk  with  your 
nephew  afterwards,"  interposed  Captain  Breaker, 
who  was  very  busy. 

"  Certainly,  Captain  ;  pardon  me  for  detaining 
you.  I  am  a  prisoner,  and  I  shall  need  my  trunk, 
which  is  in  my  stateroom  on  board  of  the  Talla- 
hatchie. Gill  will  bring  it  on  board  if  you  send 
word  to  him  to  do  so,"  replied  the  colonel. 

He  followed  the  captain  to  his  cabin.  The  door 
of  the  Confederate  commander's  room  was  open, 
and  the  planter  exchanged  a  few  words  with  him. 
He  was  shown  to  the  other  stateroom,  and  Punch 
was  ordered  to  do  all  that  he  could  for  the  comfort 
of  the  passenger.  Captain  Breaker  spoke  a  few 
pleasant  words  with  the  wounded  commander,  and 
then  hastened  on  deck. 

Mr.  Ballard,  the  second  lieutenant,  had  again 
been  duly  installed  as  temporary  executive  officer  ; 
Mr.  Walbrook  had  been  moved  up,  and  Mr.  Bost- 
wick,  master,  had   become   third   lieutenant.     As 


COL.    HOMER   PASSFORD   OF   GLENFIELD        223 

usual,  the  engineers  were  Englishmen,  who  had 
come  over  in  the  Trafalgar,  as  well  as  the  greater 
part  of  the  crew,  though  the  other  officers  were 
Southern  gentlemen  who  had  "retired  "  from  the 
United  States  Navy.  The  foreigners  were  willing 
to  remain  in  the  engine  room,  and  promised  to  do 
their  duty  faithfully  as  long  as  their  wages  Avere 
paid  ;  but  Leon  Bolter,  the  first  assistant  engineer 
of  the  Bellevite,  was  sent  on  board  of  the  prize  to 
insure  their  fidelity. 

Ensigns  Palmer  Drake  and  Richard  Ley  ton,  who 
were  serving  on  board  of  the  steamer  while  waiting 
for  positions,  were  sent  to  the  Tallahatchie,  the 
first  named  as  prizemaster,  and  the  other  as  liis 
first  officer,  with  a  prize  crew  of  twenty  men,  and 
the  two  steamers  got  under  way. 


224   A  VERY  MELANCHOLY  CONFEDERATE 


CHAPTER   XX 

A  VERY  MELANCHOLY  CONFEDERATE 

Notwithstanding  his  military  title,  Colonel 
Homer  Passford  was  not  a  soldier,  though  he  had 
once  been  a  sort  of  honorary  head  of  a  regiment  of 
militia.  His  brother,  Captain  Horatio  Passford, 
Christy's  father,  was  a  millionaire  in  the  tenth 
degree.  More  than  twenty  years  before  the  war 
he  had  assisted  Homer  to  all  the  money  he  required 
to  buy  a  plantation  in  Alabama,  near  Mobile,  where 
he  had  prospered  exceedingly,  though  his  posses- 
sions had  never  been  a  tenth  part  of  those  of  his 
wealthy  brother. 

Homer  had  married  in  the  South,  and  was  the 
father  of  a  son  and  daughter,  now  approaching 
their  maturity,  and  Corny,  the  son,  was  a  soldier 
in  the  Confederate  army.  The  most  affectionate 
relations  had  always  subsisted  between  the  two 
families ;  and  before  the  war  the  Bellevite  had 
always  visited  Glenfield,  the  plantation  of  the 
colonel,  at  least  twice  a  year. 


A   VERY   MELANCHOLY   CONFEDERATE        225 

Flony  Passford,  the  captain's  daughter,  being 
somewhat  out  of  health,  had  passed  the  winter 
before  the  beginning  of  the  war  at  Glenfield,  and 
was  there  when  the  enemy's  guns  opened  upon 
Fort  Sumter.  Cajotain  Passford  had  not  supposed 
that  his  brother  in  Alabama  would  take  part  with 
the  South  in  the  Rebellion,  and  with  great  diffi- 
culty and  risk  he  had  gone  to  Glenfield  in  the 
Bellevite,  for  the  purpose  of  conveying  his  daughter 
to  his  home  at  Bonnydale  on  the  Hudson,  not 
doubting  that  Homer  and  his  family  would  be  his 
passengers  on  the  return  to  the  North. 

He  was  entirely  mistaken  in  regard  to  the  polit- 
ical sentiments  of  the  colonel,  and  found  that  he 
was  one  of  the  most  devoted  and  determined  advo- 
cates of  the  Southern  cause.  The  southern  brother 
did  not  conceal  his  opinions,  and  it  was  plain 
enough  to  the  captain  that  he  was  entirely  sincere, 
and  believed  with  all  his  mind,  heart,  and  soul, 
that  it  was  his  religious,  moral,  and  social  duty 
to  espouse  what  he  called  his  country's  cause  ; 
and  he  had  done  so  with  all  his  influence  and  his 
fortune.  He  had  even  gone  so  far  in  his  devotion 
to  his  duty  as  he  understood  it,  as  to  attempt  to 
hand  over  the   Bellevite,  though  she  was   not  in 


226  A  viCTomous  union 

Mobile  Bay  on  a  warlike  mission,  to  the  new  gov- 
ernment of  the  South,  and  had  taken  part  person- 
ally in  an  expedition  extended  to  capture  her. 

The  steam-yacht  had  been  armed  at  the  Bermu- 
das, and  fought  her  way  out  of  the  bay  ;  and  on 
her  return  to  New  York  her  owner  presented  her 
to  the  Government  of  the  United  States.  She 
had  done  good  service,  and  Christy  had  begun 
his  brilliant  career  as  a  naval  officer  in  the  capa- 
city of  a  midshipman  on  board  of  her.  In  s]3ite  of 
the  hostile  political  attitude  of  the  brothers  to  each 
otlier,  the  same  affectionate  relations  had  continued 
between  the  two  families,  for  each  of  them  believed 
that  social  and  family  ties  should  not  interfere  with 
his  patriotic  duty  to  his  countr}^ 

The  commander  of  the  Confederate  forces  at 
Hilton  Head  —  one  of  the  highest-toned  and 
most  estimal^le  gentlemen  one  could  find  in  the 
North  or  the  South  —  informed  the  author  that 
his  own  brother  was  in  command  of  one  of  the 
Federal  ships  that  were  bombarding  his  works. 
While  Commodore  Wilkes,  of  Mason  and  Slidell 
memory,  was  capturing  the  Southern  representa- 
tives who  had  to  be  given  up,  his  son  was  in  the  Con- 
federate navy,  and  then  or  later  was  casting  guns 


A  VERY   MELANCHOLY   CONFEDERATE        227 

at  Charlotte  for  tlie  use  of  the  South  :  and  the 
writer  never  met  a  more  reasonable  and  kindly 
man.  Fortunately  our  two  brothers  were  not 
called  upon  to  confront  each  otlier  as  foes  on  the 
battlefield  or  on  the  sea,  though  both  of  them 
would  have  done  their  duty  in  such  positions. 

The  last  time  Christy  had  seen  his  Uncle  Homer 
was  when  he  was  captured  on  board  of  the  Dor- 
noch with  Captain  Rombold,  as  he  was  endeavoring 
to  obtain  a  passage  to  England  as  a  Confederate 
agent  for  the  purchase  of  suitable  vessels  to  prey 
upon  the  mercantile  marine  of  the  United  States. 
He  and  the  commander  of  the  Tallahatchie  had 
been  exchanged  at  about  the  same  time ;  and  they 
had  proceeded  to  Nassau,  where  they  embarked 
for  England  in  a  cotton  steamer.  There  they  had 
purchased  and  fitted  out  the  Trafalgar;  for  the 
agent's  drafts,  in  which  the  last  of  his  fortune  had 
been  absorbed,  could  not  be  made  available  to  his 
captors.  Colonel  Passford  had  an  interview  with 
Captain  Rombold  after  Gill  had  brought  his  trunk 
on  board ;  and  it  was  a  very  sad  occasion  to  the 
planter,  if  not  to  the  naval  officer.  They  had  not 
liad  an  opportunity  to  consider  the  disaster  that 
had  overtaken  the  Confederate  steamer,  which  had 


228  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

promised  such  favorable  results  for  tlieir  cause ; 
for  the  commander  had  been  entirely  occupied  till 
he  received  his  wound,  and  even  then  he  had  at- 
tended to  his  duties,  for,  as  before  suggested,  he 
was  a  "  last  ditch"  man.  He  was  not  fighting  for 
the  South  as  a  mere  hireling;  for  he  had  married  a 
Southern  wife,  and  she  had  enlisted  all  his  sympa- 
thies in  the  cause  of  her  people. 

'•  I  suppose  we  have  nothing  more  to  hope  for. 
Captain  Rombold ;  and  we  can  only  put  our  trust 
in  the  All- Wise  and  the  All-Powerful,  who  never 
forsakes  his  children  when  they  are  fighting  for 
right  and  justice,"  said  Colonel  Passford,  after  he 
had  condoled  with  the  commander  on  his  wounded 
condition. 

"  We  shall  come  out  all  right  in  the  end,  Col- 
onel ;  don't  be  so  cast  down,"  replied  the  cap- 
tain. 

"  I  raised  the  money  by  mortgaging  my  planta- 
tion and  what  other  property  I  had  left  for  all 
the  money  I  could  get  upon  it  to  a  wealthy  Eng- 
lishman, the  one  who  came  to  Mobile  with  us  from 
Nassau,  to  obtain  the  cargoes  for  this  steamer.  I 
had  borrowed  all  I  could  before  that  for  the  pur- 
chase of  the  Trafalgar  ;  and  if  the  current  does  not 


A    VERY    MELANCHOLY    CONFEDERATE        229 

change  in  our  favor  soon,  I  shall  be  a  beggar," 
added  the  colonel  bitterly. 

"  The  tide  will  turn,  my  good  friend  ;  and  it 
would  have  turned  before  now  if  all  the  planters 
had  been  as  self-sacrificing  as  you  have,"  said  the 
captain. 

"  Cotton  and  gold  are  about  the  same  thing  just 
now ;  and  with  the  large  cargo  on  board  of  the  West 
Wind,  which  I  induced  my  friends  to  contribute  to 
the  good  cause,  and  that  in  the  hold  of  the  Talla- 
hatchie, I  was  confident  that  I  could  purchase  the 
Kilmai-nock,  which  you  say  is  good  for  eighteen 
knots  an  hour.  Now  the  West  Wind  and  the 
Tallahatchie  are  both  prizes  of  the  enemy,  and 
there  is  no  present  hope  for  us,"  continued  the 
colonel ;  and  there  was  no  wonder  that  he  had 
become  pale  and  thin. 

"  We  are  in  a  bad  situation.  Colonel  Passford, 
I  admit,  for  both  of  us  are  prisoners  of  war,  so  that 
we  can  do  nothing,  even  if  we  had  the  means  ;  but 
everything  will  come  out  right  in  the  end,"  replied 
the  wounded  officer,  though  he  could  not  explain 
in  what  manner  this  result  was  to  be  achieved. 

"  Well,  Captain  Rombold,  how  are  you  feel- 
ing?"   asked    Dr.   Linscott,    darkening   the   door 


230  A    VICTOIMOUS    UNION 

when  the  conversation  had  reached  this  gloomy 
point. 

"  Very  comfortable,  Doctor,"  replied  the  com- 
mander.    "  My  friend  is  Colonel  Passford.'" 

"  Bless  me  ! "  exclaimed  the  surgeon,  as  he  ex- 
tended his  hand  to  the  visitor.  "  I  am  very  glad 
to  see  you,  and  I  ho2:)e  you  are  very  well.  I  am 
happy  to  inform  ^^ou  that  your  nephew,  who  was 
wounded  in  the  engagement,  is  doing  very  well." 

"  Yes ;  I  met  him  on  deck,"  replied  the  planter 
very  gloomil3^ 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Colonel  Passford  ?  You 
look  quite  pale,  and  you  have  lost  flesh  since  I  met 
you  last.     Can  I  do  anything  for  you  ?  " 

"Nothing,  Doctor;  I  am  not  very  well,  though 
nothing  in  particular  ails  me.  With  your  permis- 
sion I  will  retire  to  my  stateroom,"  said  the  colonel, 
as  he  rose  from  his  seat. 

"  By  the  way.  Colonel  Passford,  the  captain 
wished  me  to  ascertain  if  you  have  been  to  break- 
fast," added  the  surgeon,  following  him  out  into 
the  cabin. 

"  I  have  not.  Doctor ;  but  it  was  because  I  wanted 
none,  for  I  do  not  feel  like  eating,"  replied  the 
pale  planter. 


A    VERY    MELANCHOLY    CONFEDERATE        231 

"  Punch,  go  to  the  galley,  get  a  beefsteak,  a  plate 
of  toast,  and  a  cnp  of  coffee.  Set  out  the  cap- 
tain's table,  and  call  this  gentleman  when  it  is 
ready." 

"  Yes,  sir,"  replied  Punch,  who  was  a  very  gen- 
teel colored  person. 

The  colonel  attempted  to  protest,  but  the  surgeon 
would  not  hear  him.  He  remained  with  the  planter, 
whom  he  already  regarded  as  a  patient,  and  though 
he  could  not  say  anything  to  comfort  him,  he  talked 
him  into  a  pleasanter  frame  of  mind.  Punch  set 
the  table,  and  in  due  time  brought  the  breakfast. 
The  doctor  sat  down  opposite  to  him  at  the  table, 
and  actually  compelled  him  to  eat  a  tolerably  hearty 
meal.  He  was  decidedly  less  gloomy  when  he  had 
finished,  and  it  was  plain  to  his  companion  that 
his  empty  stomach  was  responsible  for  a  portion  of 
his  depression  of  spirits. 

The  surgeon  had  remained  on  board  of  the  prize 
till  the  order  to  get  under  way  was  given,  and  then 
Captain  Breaker  sent  for  him ;  but  the  two  medical 
gentlemen  had  disposed  of  most  of  the  wounds 
among  the  Confederate  crew.  As  the  English 
engineer  had  reported,  the  machinery  and  boilers 
of  the  Tallahatchie   were  in  good  condition,  and 


232  A   VICTOIIIOUS    UNION 

the  two  steamers  went  on  tlieir  course  towards  the 
entrance  to  Mobile  Bay,  where  French  had  been 
ordered  to  anchor  the  West  Wind,  at  full  speed, 
though  neither  was  driven  ;  but  the  log  showed 
that  they  were  making  about  eighteen  knots. 

After  the  brief  talk  with  his  uncle,  Christy  had 
waited  for  him  to  return  to  the  deck,  as  he  sup- 
posed he  would  after  what  the  captain  had  said  to 
him ;  but  he  did  not  appear.  In  fact.  Colonel 
Passford  was  too  much  cast  down  by  the  capture 
of  the  two  vessels,  and  the  loss  of  his  fortune 
thereb}',  that  he  was  not  disposed  to  see  any  person 
if  he  could  avoid  it. 

"  Don't  you  think  you  had  better  turn  in,  Mr. 
Passford?  "  asked  the  commander,  as  he  halted  in 
his  walk  at  the  side  of  the  lieutenant. 

"  I  have  been  waiting  here  to  see  my  uncle ;  for 
I  thought,  after  what  you  said  to  him,  that  he 
would  come  back,"  added  Christy. 

"I  sent  Dr.  Linscott  down  to  see  him,  for  he 
looks  so  pale  and  feeble  that  I  thought  he  must  be 
sick.  The  surgeon  reported  to  me  half  an  hour 
ago  that  he  had  made  him  eat  his  breakfast  against 
his  will,  and  he  was  feeling  better  and  more  cheer- 
ful.    He  thinks  your  Uncle    Homer's  trouble   is 


A    VERY    MELANCHOLY    CONFEUEllATE        233 

entirely  mental,  and  he  does  not  feel  like  seeing 
any  person,"  answered  the  commander. 

"  What  mental  trouble  can  he  have  ? "  asked 
Christy,  as  he  gazed  into  the  face  of  the  captain, 
wondering  if  his  father's  brother  was  insane. 

"  The  colonel  has  shipped  a  vast  amount  of 
cotton  intending  to  use  the  proceeds  of  its  sale  to 
purchase  ships  for  the  Confederacy ;  and  he  has  lost 
most  of  them,  for  you  captured  quite  a  number 
of  them  when  you  were  in  command  of  the  Bronx. 
I  have  no  doubt  he  was  interested  in  the  cargoes  of 
the  prize  and  the  West  Wind ;  and  the  capture  of 
these  two  vessels  involves  a  fearful  loss.  I  believe 
that  is  all  that  ails  him,"  the  captain  explained. 
"  Doubtless  he  feels  as  kindly  towards  his  nephew 
as  ever  before  in  his  life ;  but  he  does  not  care  to 
see  him  just  now." 

Early  in  the  afternoon  the  Bellevite  and  her 
prize  came  in  siglit  of  the  West  Wind,  anchored  in 
accordance  with  French's  orders,  with  the  Holyoke 
almost  within  hail  of  her ;  for  the  captain  of  the 
steamer  had  doubtless  considered  the  possibility  of 
a  recajDture  of  the  schooner  by  boats  from  the 
shore,  if  she  was  left  unprotected. 

In  due  time  the  Bellevite  let  go  her  anchor  at 


234  A   VICTOllIOUS   UNION 

about  a  cable's  length  from  the  West  Wind,  and 
the  prize-master  of  the  Tallahatchie  had  done  the 
same  at  an  equal  distance  from  the  ship.  Mr. 
Graines,  who  had  not  met  his  late  associate  on 
shore  since  he  was  wounded,  came  to  his  side  as 
soon  as  the  steamer  had  anchored  ;  for  both  Christy 
and  he  were  anxious  to  hear  the  report  of  French 
in  regard  to  the  prisoners  left  in  his  care. 

The  anchor  of  the  Bellevite  had  hardly  caught 
in  the  sand  before  a  boat  put  off  from  the  West 
Wind  containing  four  persons.  Two  of  the  ship's 
seamen  were  at  the  oars,  French  was  in  the  stern 
sheets,  and  the  engineer  soon  recognized  Captain 
Sullendine  as  the  fourth  person. 


CAPTAIN    SULLiENDINE   BECOMES   VIOLENT      235 


CHAPTER   XXI 

CAPTAIN    SULLENDINE   BECOMES   VIOLENT 

French  ascended  tlie  gangway  followed  by  Cap- 
tain SuUendine.  The  seaman  who  had  acted  as 
prize-master  of  the  West  Wind  tonched  his  cap 
very  respectfully  to  the  first  officer  he  met  when 
he  came  on  board.  Christy  had  asked  the  chief 
eno-ineer  to  send  Mr.  Graiues  to  him,  and  he  was 
talking  to  him  about  the  prize  and  the  chief  pris- 
oner when  French  presented  himself  before  them. 

"  I  have  come  on  board  to  report,  sir,"  said  the 
prize-master  of  the  West  Wind. 

"Is  all  well  on  board,  French?"  asked  the 
wounded  lieutenant. 

"  All  well  now,  sir,"  replied  the  seaman,  with  a 
suggestive  emphasis  on  the  last  word.  "  I  am 
very  sorry  to  learn  that  you  have  been  wounded, 
Mr.  Passford." 

"Not  severely,  French,"  replied  Cliristy.  "I 
am  ready  to  hear  your  report." 

"  I  have  something  to  say  about  this  business, 


236  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Jerry  Sandman,"  interposed  the  captain  of  the 
West  Wind,  whose  wrath  had  suddenly  got  the 
better  of  his  judgment,  interlarding  his  brief  remark 
with  a  couple  of  ringing  oaths. 

"I  will  hear  the  prize-master  first,"  replied 
Christy  very  quietly. 

The  discomfited  master  of  the  schooner  called 
down  a  shocking  malediction  upon  the  prize-master 
just  as  Captain  Breaker  presented  himself  before 
the  group  assembled  at  the  arm-chair  of  tlie  lieu- 
tenant, and  had  heard  the  last  oaths  of  the  angry 
man. 

"Who  is  this  man,  Mr.  Passford?  "  asked  the 
commander. 

"  I'll  let  you  know  who  I  am  !  "  exclaimed 
Captain  Sullendine,  with  another  couplet  of  oaths. 

"  I  do  not  permit  any  profane  language  on  the 
deck  of  this  ship,"  said  Captain  Breaker.  "  Pass 
the  word  for  the  master-at-arms,"  he  added  to  the 
nearest  officer. 

"  Oh,  you  are  the  cap'n  of  this  hooker,"  added 
the  master  of  the  West  Wind,  this  time  without 
any  expletives.  "I  have  soinethin'  to  say  to  you, 
Cap'n,  and  I- want  to  complain  of  your  officers." 

"When  you  have  learned  how  to  behave  your- 


CAPTAIN    SULLENDINE   BECOMES   VIOLENT      237 

self,  I  will  hear  you,"  replied  the  commander,  as 
the  master-at-arms,  who  is  the  chief  of  police  on 
board  a  ship  of  war,  presented  himself,  touching 
his  cap  to  the  supreme  authority  of  the  steamer. 
"What  is  the  trouble  here,  Mr.  Passford?"  asked 
Captain  Breaker  in  a  very  gentle  tone,  in  contrast 
with  the  quiet  sternness  with  which  he  had  spoken 
to  Captain  Sullendine. 

"  No  trouble  at  all,  sir ;  I  was  about  to  hear  the 
report  of  French,  the  prize-master  of  tlie  schooner, 
when  the  captain  of  her  interfered,"  replied 
Christy. 

"  My  story  comes  in  before  the  prize-master's, 
as  you  call  him,  though  he  ain't  nothin'  but  a 
common  sailor,"  interposed  Captain  Sullendine 
again. 

"  Will  you  be  silent?"  demanded  the  commander. 

"  No,  I  will  not !  This  is  an  outrage  !  "  stormed 
the  captain  of  the  West  Wind,  with  a  liberal 
spicing  of  oaths  in  his  speech. 

"  Put  this  man  in  irons,  master-at-arms,  and 
commit  him  to  the  brig,"  added  Captain  Breaker. 

The  petty  officer  called  upon  the  ship's  corporal, 
whom  he  had  brought  with  him,  and  placed  liis 
hand  on  the  arm   of    the   rebellious    master,   who 


238  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

showed  fight.  A  couple  of  seamen  were  called  to 
assist  the  police  force,  and  Captain  Sullendine  was 
dragged  below  with  his  wrists  ironed  behind  him. 

"Now you  can  proceed, French,"  said  the  captain. 

"  When  I  left  you,  all  was  quiet  on  board  of  the 
West  Wind,"  added  Christy,  beginning  to  mal^e  a 
slight  explanation  for  the  benefit  of  the  comman- 
der. "  Captain  Sullendine  was  very  drunk,  asleep 
in  his  berth,  with  the  door  of  his  stateroom  securely 
fastened  upon  him.  Bokes  the  seaman  and  Sopsy 
the  cook  were  in  the  same  condition.  Go  on, 
French." 

"I  picked  up  the  boat  you  set  adrift,  Mr.  Pass- 
ford,  and  then  headed  for  the  eastward  of  Sand 
Island  lighthouse,  where  you  ordered  me  to  anchor. 
The  Holyoke  followed  the  schooner,  and  came  to 
anchor  near  the  West  Wind.  She  sent  a  boat  on 
board,  and  I  told  my  story  to  the  second  lieutenant. 
We  did  not  need  any  assistance,  and  he  left  us. 

"  About  four  bells  in  the  forenoon  watch  I  heard 
a  tremendous  racket  in  the  cabin,  and  I  went 
below.  Captain  Sullendine  was  doing  his  best  to 
break  down  the  door  of  his  stateroom,  cursing  hard 
enough  to  make  the  blood  of  a  Christian  run  cold. 
But  he  had  nothing  to  work  with,  and  I  let  him 


"Captain  Sullexdine  was  dragged  below."     Page  238. 


CAPTAIN   SULLEXDINE   BECOMES   VIOLENT      239 

kick  and  pound  till  he  got  tired  of  it.  I  put 
Vogel  in  the  cabin  to  keep  watch  of  him,  and  went 
on  deck. 

"  He  kept  it  up  for  half  an  hour  or  more,  and 
then  he  seemed  to  have  enough  of  it.  Vogel  came 
on  deck  and  told  me  the  prisoner  was  very  humble 
then,  and  wanted  to  come  out.  I  knew  you  did 
not  mean  that  I  should  starve  him,  and  I  made 
Sopsy  put  his  breakfast  on  the  table  in  the  cabin ; 
but  I  did  not  do  so  till  I  had  locked  the  liquor 
closet  and  put  the  key  in  my  pocket. 

"  I  let  him  out  then,  and  his  first  move  was  to 
get  at  his  whiskey  ;  but  the  door  was  locked.  He 
begged  like  a  child  for  a  drink  ;  but  I  did  not  give 
him  a  drop.  Sopsy  and  Bokes,  who  were  tied  up 
forward,  did  the  same ;  but  they  did  not  get  any. 
Captain  Sullendine  ate  his  breakfast,  and  I  told 
him  his  vessel  was  a  prize  to  the  United  States 
steamer  Bellevite.  Then  he  was  so  furious  that 
we  had  to  shut  him  up  in  his  stateroom  again. 

"  After  a  while  he  promised  to  behave  himself, 
and  I  let  him  out  again.  He  declared  that  his 
vessel  was  not  a  legal  prize,  and  got  off  a  lot  of 
stuff  that  I  did  not  take  any  notice  of.  He  wanted 
to  make  a  protest  to  the  commander  of  the  Belle- 


240  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

vite,  and  when  he  promised  to  behave  like  a  gentle- 
man, I  let  him  come  on  board  with  me." 

"  You  acted  with  very  good  judgment,  French, 
and  Mr.  Passford  has  already  commended  your 
good  conduct  in  the  expedition  last  night,"  said  the 
commander. 

"Thank  you,  sir,"  replied  the  prize-master, 
touching  his  cap,  and  backing  away  without  another 
word. 

"  Loring,"  called  the  captain  to  the  master-at- 
arms,  who  had  just  returned  to  the  quarter-deck,  or 
as  near  it  as  etiquette  permitted  him  to  go.  "  How 
is  your  prisoner?  " 

"  He  broke  down  completely  after  he  had  been 
in  the  brig  a  few  minutes,  and  promised  to  behave 
like  a  gentleman  if  the  commander  would  hear 
him." 

"Bring  him  to  the  quarter-deck,"  added  tlie 
captain. 

In  a  few  minutes,  the  ship's  corporal  conducted 
him  into  the  presence  of  the  commander.  He  began 
with  a  very  lame  apology  for  his  previous  conduct, 
and  then  declared  that  he  was  the  victim  of  a 
"  Yankee  trick,"  and  that  the  West  Wind  had  not 
been  fairly  captured. 


CAPTAIN    SULLENDINK    BECOMES    VIOLENT       2J:1 

"  Your  officers  imposed  upon  me,"  he  continued. 
"  Mr.  Balker  and  Jerry  Sandman  "  — 

"  Who  are  they  ?  "  inquired  Captain  Breaker, 
interrupting  him. 

"  I  was  Mr.  Balker,  engaged  as  mate  of  the 
West  Wind,  selected  for  that  position  by  Mr. 
Passford,  while  the  lieutenant  was  Jerry  Sandman, 
second  mate,  which  he  chose  to  be  himself  so  that 
he  could  be  with  the  men,"  interposed  Mr.  Graines. 

"  I  did  not  know  what  their  names  was,  and  I 
reckoned  all  was  honest  and  square.  These  men, 
whoever  they  were,  got  me  drunk,  and  got  drunk 
themselves  ;  and  while  I  was  taking  a  nap,  waiting 
for  the  steamer  to  get  under  way,  they  fastened 
me  into  my  stateroom  so  I  couldn't  get  out." 

"  I  went  through  the  forms,  but  I  did  not  take 
a  drop  of  liquor  into  my  mouth,"  said  Christy. 

"  I  did  not  take  more  .than  a  tablespoonful  both 
on  board  and  at  the  camp  of  the  runaways,"  added 
Mr.  Graines. 

"  Then  you  cheated  me  more'n  I  thought." 

"  Is  this  all  the  complaint  you  have  to  make, 
Captain  Sullendine  ?  "  asked  Captain  Breaker, 
turning  to  the  master  of  the  West  Wind. 

"I  reckon  that's  enough!"  protested  the  com- 


242  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

plainant.  "  I  say  it  was  not  a  fair  capture,  and 
you  ought  to  send  my  vessel  back  to  Mobile  Point, 
where  your  officers  found  her." 

"  I  shall  not  do  that,  but  I  will  compromise  the 
matter  by  sending  you  to  Mobile  Point,  as  I  have 
no  further  use  for  you,"  replied  the  commander. 
"  You  are  a  non-combatant,  and  not  a  prisoner  of 
war." 

French  was  ordered  to  leave  Captain  Sullendine, 
Bokes,  and  Sopsy  at  the  shore  where  the  whale- 
boat  had  made  a  landing,  as  soon  as  it  was  dark. 
For  some  reason  not  apparent,  the  master  of  the 
West  Wind  protested  against  this  sentence  ;  but 
no  attention  was  given  to  his  protest.  The  com- 
mander was  confident  that  he  had  evidence  enough 
to  secure  the  condemnation  of  the  prize,  and  he  re- 
garded such  an  unreasonable  fellow  as  her  late  cap- 
tain as  a  nuisance.  That  night  the  order  in  regard 
to  him  and  his  companions  were  carried  out. 

Captain  Breaker  asked  some  questions  in  regard 
to  French,  which  Christy  and  Mr.  Graines  were 
able  to  answer.  He  was  one  of  those  men,  of  whom 
there  were  thousands  in  the  army  and  navy  who 
had  become  soldiers  and  sailors  purely  from  patri- 
otic duty,  and  at  the  sacrifice  of  brighter  present 


CAPTAIN   SULLENDINE   BECOMES    VIOLENT      243 

prospects.  French  had  been  the  mate  of  a  large 
coaster,  whose  captain  had  become  an  ensign  in 
the  navy,  and  he  might  have  had  tlie  command  of 
her  if  he  had  not  shipped  as  an  able  seaman  in  the 
same  service. 

He  understood  navigation,  and  had  been  the  sec- 
ond mate  of  an  Indiaman.  The  commander  said 
nothing  when  he  had  learned  all  he  could  about 
the  prize-master  ;  but  it  was  evident  that  he  had 
somethincT  in  view  which  might  be  of  interest  to 
the  subject  of  his  inquiries.  He  turned  his  atten- 
tion to  the  condition  of  his  first  lieutenant  then, 
asking  about  his  arm. 

"  It  does  not  feel  quite  so  easy  as  it  did,"  replied 
Christy,  who  had  been  suffering  some  pain  from 
his  wound  for  the  last  two  hours,  though  he  was 
so  interested  in  the  proceedings  on  board,  and  es- 
pecially in  the  report  from  the  West  Wind,  that 
he  had  not  been  willing  to  retire  to  his  stateroom. 

"  Then  you  must  turn  in  at  once,  Mr.  Passford," 
said  the  commander,  with  more  energy  than  he  had 
spoken  to  the  lieutenant  before.  "  I  am  afraid  you 
have  delayed  it  too  long." 

"  I  think  not,  sir,"  replied  the  wounded  officer. 

"Mr.  Graines  shall  go  with  you  and  assist  you," 


244  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

added  the  captain.  "I  will  send  Dr.  Linscott  to 
you  as  soon  as  you  get  into  your  berth." 

Christy  had  been  sitting  so  long  that  he  was 
quite  stiff  when  he  attempted  to  get  out  of  his 
chair,  and  the  engineer  assisted  him.  He  was  still 
very  weak,  and  Mr.  Graines  supported  him,  though 
he  presently  recovered  himself.  The  ship's  com- 
pany, by  this  time  relieved  of  all  heavy  work,  had 
been  observing  him  with  affectionate  admiration, 
and  rehearsing  the  daring  exploit  in  which  he  had 
received  his  wound,  gave  three  rousing  cheers  as 
he  rose  to  leave  the  quarter-deck. 

Christy  turned  Ijis  pale  face  towards  them, 
raised  his  cap,  and  bowed  to  them.  Another  cheer 
followed,  and  then  another.  The  men  knew  that 
his  prompt  action  in  mounting  the  mizzen  rigging, 
boarding  the  Tallahatchie,  and  firing  the  thirty- 
pounder  after  he  had  reversed  its  position,  had 
saved  the  lives  or  limbs  of  a  great  number  of  them, 
and  they  were  extremely  grateful  to  him. 

With  the  assistance  of  his  friend  the  engineer, 
Christy  was  soon  between  the  sheets  in  his  berth. 
Dr.  Linscott  came  in  as  soon  as  he  was  in  his  bed, 
spoke  very  tenderly  to  him,  and  then  proceeded  to 
dress  his  injured  arm.     He  found  the  member  was 


CAPTAIN    SULLENDINE    BECOMES    VIOLENT      245 

somewhat  swollen,  and  the  patient's  pulse  indicated' 
some  fever. 

"I  must  send  you  home,  Mr.  Passford,"  said  the 
surgeon.  "  You  are  the  hero  of  the  day,  you  have 
earned  a  vacation,  and  you  will  need  your  mother's 
care  for  the  next  tln-ee  weeks." 

In  spite  of  Christy's  protest,  the  doctor  insisted, 
and  left  him. 


246  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 


CHAPTER   XXII 

THE   DISPOSITION   OF   THE   TWO    PRIZES 

The  surgeon  reported  the  condition  of  the  first 
lieutenant  to  the  commander  at  once,  and  a  long 
conversation  between  them  followed.  Devoted  as 
Captain  Breaker  was  to  his  executive  officer,  and 
filled  with  admiration  as  he  was  for  the  gallant  ex- 
ploit of  that  day,  lie  was  not  willing  to  do  anything 
that  could  be  fairly  interpreted  as  favoritism 
towards  the  son  of  Captain  Passford.  The  sum- 
mer weather  of  the  South  was  coming  on,  and  the 
heat  was  already  oppressive,  even  on  board  of 
the  ships  of  war  at  anchor  so  much  of  the  time 
on  the  blockade,  and  this  was  the  strong  point  of 
the  doctor  in  caring  for  his  patient. 

Dr.  Linscott  was  Very  earnest  in  insisting  upon 
his  point ;  and  the  commander  yielded,  for  he  could 
hardly  do  otherwise  in  the  face  of  the  surgeon's 
recommendation,  for  the  latter  was  the  responsible 
person.  The  next  morning,  after  the  wounded 
officer  had  passed  a  feverish  night,  Captain  Breaker 


THE   DISPOSITION    OF   THE   TWO   PRIZES       247 

visited  him  in  his  stateroom,  and  announced  the 
decision.     Christy  began  to  fight  against  it. 

"I  am  not  so  badly  off  as  many  officers  who 
have  been  treated  in  the  hospital  down  here ;  and 
if  I  am  sent  home  it  will  be  regarded  as  favoritism 
to  the  son  of  my  father,"  protested  the  lieutenant. 

"  You  are  too  sensitive,  ray  dear  boy,  as  you  have 
always  been ;  and  you  are  entirely  mistaken.  You 
have  earned  a  furlough  if  you  choose  to  ask  for  it, 
and  every  officer  and  seaman  who  has  served  with 
you  would  say  so,"  argued  the  captain.  "  I  shall 
insert  in  my  report,  with  other  matter  concerning 
you,  Christy,  that  you  were  sent  home  on  the  cer- 
tificate of  the  surgeon  ;  and  even  an  unreasonable 
person  cannot  call  it  favoritism." 

"  I  don't  know,"  added  Christy,  shaking  his  head. 

"  I  know,  my  boy.  Merciful  Heaven ! "  ex- 
claimed Captain  Breaker.  "  You  did  enough  yes- 
terday to  entitle  you  to  any  favor  it  is  possible  for 
the  department  to  extend  to  you.  You  saved  the 
lives  of  a  quarter  or  a  third  of  the  ship's  company. 
But  it  was  not  simply  a  brave  and  daring  exploit, 
my  boy,  though  even  that  would  entitle  you  to  the 
fullest  commendation  ;  but  it  included  sound  judg- 
ment on  the  instant,  lightning  invention,  and  con- 


248  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

summate.y  skilful  action ; "  and  the  commander 
became  positively  eloquent  as  he  proceeded. 

"  Come,  come,  Captain  Breaker !  You  are  pil- 
ing it  on  altogether  too  thick,"  cried  Christy,  over- 
whelmed by  the  torrent  of  praise.  "  I  only  did 
what  I  could  not  help  doing." 

"  No  matter  if  you  did ;  it  was  the  right  thing 
to  do,  and  it  was  done  at  precisely  the  right  instant. 
A  moment's  delay  would  have  brought  the  whole 
force  of  the  enemy  down  upon  you.  It  was  abso- 
lutely wonderful  how  you  got  that  gun  off  in  such 
a  short  space  of  time.  I  report  Captain  Rombold's 
words  to  you." 

"He  is  a  magnanimous  gentleman,"  said  Christy. 

"  He  says,  too,  that  a  dozen  muskets  and  revol- 
vers were  discharged  at  you,  and  it  is  a  miracle 
that  only  one  bullet  struck  you." 

"  I  found  a  bullet-hole  in  my  cap,  and  two  more 
in  the  skirt  of  my  coat,"  added  the  patient  with  a 
smile,  as  he  pointed  to  his  coat  and  cap. 

"But  we  are  off  the  subject;  and  I  was  only 
trying  to  show  that  you  are  entitled  to  a  furlough," 
said  the  commander ;  but  the  discussion  was  con- 
tinued for  some  time  longer,  though  Christy  con- 
sented to  be  sent  home  in  the  end. 


THE   DISPOSITION   OF   THE   TWO   PRIZES      249 

The  thought  of  going  to  Bonnydale  was  exceed- 
ingly pleasant  to  him,  and  he  allowed  his  mind 
to  dwell  upon  each  member  of  the  family,  and  to 
picture  in  his  imagination  the  greeting  they  would 
all  give  him.  Not  to  the  members  of  his  family 
alone  did  he  confuie  his  thoughts  ;  for  they  included 
the  beautiful  Bertha  Pembroke,  whom,  with  her 
father,  he  had  taken  from  the  cabin  of  a  cotton 
steamer  he  had  captured.  He  concluded  that  the 
surgeon's  certificate  would  shield  him  from  adverse 
criticism,  after  he  had  fully  considered  the  matter. 

The  flag-officer  of  the  Eastern  Gulf  Squadron 
was  not  off  Mobile  Point ;  and  Captain  Breaker,  as 
the  senior  officer  present,  was  obliged  to  dispose 
of  his  prizes  himself.  Some  necessary  repairs  had 
to  be  made  upon  both  ships  before  anything  could 
be  done ;  and  the  carpenter  and  his  gang,  with  all 
the  other  seamen  who  could  handle  an  axe  or  an 
adze,  were  hurrying  forward  the  work.  The  prize 
had  lost  her  mizzen  mast,  her  steering  gear  had 
been  knocked  to  pieces  both  forward  and  aft,  she 
had  been  riddled  in  a  dozen  places,  and  shot-holes 
in  the  hull  had  been  hastily  plugged  during  the 
action. 

Her   Armstrong   gun  amidships  had   been  dis- 


250  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

abled  by  Blumenlioff  at  his  first  fire.  Christy  had 
not  found  the  opportunity  to  examine  this  piece, 
as  he  desired ;  but  Mr.  Grtiines  had  done  so  for 
him;  and  it  was  found  that  the  gun  carriage  had 
been  knocked  into  a  shapeless  mass  so  that  it  could 
not  be  put  in  condition  for  use.  The  machinists 
from  the  engine  room  of  both  vessels,  for  those  of 
the  Tallahatchie  had  no  feeling  on  the  subject, 
were  restoring  the  steering  apparatus,  and  were 
likely  to  have  the  work  completed  the  next  day. 

Captain  Breaker  was  in  great  doubt  as  to  what 
he  ouglit  to  do  with  Colonel  Passford.  He  was 
certainly  a  non-combatant;  and  it  could  not  be 
shown  that  he  had  any  mission  to  Nassau  or  else- 
where in  the  service  of  the  Confederacy,  though  it 
would  have  been  otherwise  if  the  steamer  and  the 
West  Wind  liad  not  been  captures,  for  he  was  to 
sell  the  cotton  in  England,  and  purchase  a  steamer 
with  the  proceeds ;  but  his  mission  ended  with  the 
loss  of  the  vessels.  He  finally  decided  to  send  him 
to  Fort  Morgan  under  a  flag  of  truce. 

Before  he  left  he  called  upon  his  nej^hew.  He 
was  still  in  a  state  of  despondency  over  his  own 
losses,  and  his  failures  to  benefit  the  Confederac3% 
whose  loss  he  counted  as  greater  than  liis  own. 


THE   DISPOSITION   OF   THE   TWO   PRIZES      251 

He  stated  that  the  commander  had  announced  his 
intention  to  send  him  on  shore.  Christy  had  seen 
him  but  for  a  moment,  for  his  uncle  had  not 
desired  to  meet  him  again. 

"  We  will  not  talk  about  the  war,  Uncle  Homer," 
said  Christy.  "  How  are  Aunt  Lydia,  Corny,  and 
Gerty?     I  hope  they  are  all  very  well." 

"  Your  aunt  is  not  very  well,  for  the  hardships 
of  the  war  have  worn  upon  her.  Except  Uncle 
Jerry  and  Aunty  Chloe,  the  cook,  all  our  negroes 
have  left  us,  or  been  taken  by  the  government  to 
v/ork  on  fortifications,  and  my  wife  and  Gerty 
have  to  do  most  of  the  housework,"  replied  Uncle 
Homer  very  gloomily ;  and  it  was  plain  to  Christy 
that  the  mansion  at  Glenfield  was  not  what  it  had 
been  in  former  years. 

"How  is  Corny?  I  have  not  heard  from  him 
lately." 

"  Corny  is  now  a  captain  in  the  Army  of  Vir- 
ginia, and  is  doing  his  duty  like  a  man,"  answered 
the  colonel  proudly;  and  this  fact  seemed  to  be 
almost  the  only  pleasant  feature  of  his  experience. 
"We  have  been  called  upon  to  endure  a  great 
many  hardships  ;  but  we  still  feel  that  the  God  of 
justice  will  give  us  the  victory  in  the  end,  and  we 


252  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

try  to  bear  our  burdens  with  resignation.  The  cap- 
tain informs  me  that  you  are  going  home,  Christy." 

"  The  surgeon  has  ordered  me  to  the  North  on 
account  of  the  heat  in  this  locality." 

"  I  learned  in  Nassau  as  well  as  when  I  was  at 
Bonnydale,  that  your  father  holds  a  very  promi- 
nent and  influential  position  among  your  people, 
and  your  advancement  seems  to  be  made  sure," 
added  the  planter. 

"  He  has  never  held  any  office  under  the  United 
States  government,  and  I  hope  I  do  not  owe  my 
advancement  to  him ;  and  he  has  often  assured  me 
that  he  never  asked  for  my  promotion  or  appoint- 
ment," said  Christy. 

"  You  have  been  of  very  great  service  to  your 
government,  as  I  know  to  my  sorrow,  and  I  have 
no  doubt  you  deserved  whatever  promotion  you 
have  obtained,"  added  the  colonel,  observing  that 
he  had  touched  his  nephew  in  a  very  tender  spot. 
"  But  I  suppose  the  boat  is  waiting  for  me,  and  I 
must  bid  you  good-by.  Remember  me  in  the  kind- 
liest manner  to  your  father  and  mother,  and  to 
Miss  Florry.  They  were  all  as  good  to  me  when 
I  was  on  parole  at  Bonnydale  as  though  no  war 
had  ever  divided  us." 


THE   DISPOSITION   OF   THE   TWO   PRIZES      253 

The  colonel  took  Christy  by  the  hand,  and 
betrayed  no  little  emotion  as  they  parted.  The 
lieutenant  realized  that  his  uncle  was  suffering 
severely  under  the  hardships  and  anxieties  of  the 
war,  and  he  was  profoundly  sorry  for  him,  though 
he  uttered  no  complaint.  Both  on  his  own  account 
and  on  that  of  the  Confederacy,  he  had  shipped 
several  cargoes  of  cotton  to  Nassau  to  be  sent  from 
there  to  England;  but  every  one  of  them  had  been 
captured,  most  of  them  by  his  nephew  while  in 
command  of  the  Bronx.  But  he  was  still  confi- 
dent that  the  Confederacy  would  triumph. 

Colonel  Passford  had  been  sent  to  the  fort  under 
a  flag  of  truce,  and  had  been  received  by  the  com- 
mandant. In  a  couple  of  days  the  repairs  of  both 
ships  had  been  completed.  CajDtain  Rombold, 
though  his  wound  was  quite  severe,  was  getting 
along  very  well.  Captain  Breaker  had  completed 
his  arrangements  for  the  disposal  of  the  prizes  and 
prisoners ;  and  it  became  necessary  to  remove  the 
wounded  commander  to  the  cabin  of  the  Tallahat- 
cliie,  to  which  he  did  not  object,  for  the  wounded 
in  his  cabin  had  been  placed  in  a  temporary  hospi- 
tal between  decks.  He  was  permitted  to  occupy 
the  stateroom   he  had   used   while   in    command. 


254  A   VICTOIUOUS    UNION 

while  the  other  was  reserved  for  the  prize- 
master. 

Ensign  Pahner  Drake,  the  senior  of  the  two 
officers  waiting  appointments,  was  made  prize- 
master  of  the  Tallahatchie,  for  he  had  proved  to 
be  an  able  and  brave  man  in  the  recent  action. 
Mr.  Ballard  became  executive  officer  of  the  Belle- 
vite,  and  Mr.  Walbrook  the  second  lieutenant, 
while  the  place  of  the  third  was  filled  by  Mr.  Bost- 
wick,  who  had  been  master.  French  was  appointed 
prize-master  of  the  West  Wind,  with  a  crew  of  five 
men,  as  she  was  to  be  towed  by  the  prize  steamer. 

It  was  found  that  the  Tallahatchie  had  gone  into 
the  action  with  ninety-five  men,  including  the 
forward  officers.  More  than  one-third  of  them  had 
been  killed  or  disabled,  without  counting  those 
who  were  still  able  to  keep  the  deck  and  sleep  in 
their  hammocks.  Fifty  of  them  were  in  condition 
to  do  duty ;  and  Captain  Breaker  did  not  consider  it 
prudent  to  send  so  many  prisoners  to  the  North  in 
the  prize.  He  therefore  sent  forty  of  them  to  Key 
West  in  the  Holyoke,  assured  that  the  Bellevite 
was  abundantly  able  to  maintain  the  blockade,  even 
with  her  reduced  ship's  company,  during  the  ab- 
sence of  his  consort. 


I 


THE   DISPOSITION   OF   THE   TWO   PHIZES      255 

The  engineers  of  the  prize  were  willing  to  con- 
tinue their  services  at  the  expense  of  their  new 
employer,  or  even  to  accept  permanent  appoint- 
ments ;  for  they  did  not  belong  to  the  upper  classes 
in  England  who  favored  the  cause  of  the  Con- 
federacy, and  were  only  looking  for  the  highest 
wages.  Weeks,  the  oiler,  and  Bingham,  a  boat- 
swain's mate,  were  appointed  first  and  second 
officers  of  the  Tallahatchie,  and  twenty  seainen 
were  detailed  as  a  prize  crew.  To  insure  the  fidel- 
ity of  the  four  foreign  engineers  Mr.  Graines  was 
sent  as  a  sort  of  supervisor,  with  the  knowledge  and 
assent  of  those  in  actual  charge  of  the  machinery. 

When  all  ^A^as  ready  for  her  departure,  Christy 
went  on  board  of  the  Tallahatchie  in  the  same 
boat  with  the  engineer,  after  a  rather  sad  parting 
with  the  captain  and  his  fellow-officers,  and  amid 
the  cheers  of  the  seamen,  who  had  mounted  the 
rail  and  the  rigging  to  see  him  off.  Mr.  Drake 
conducted  him  to  the  captain's  cabin  when  he  went 
on  board  of  the  prize,  where  he  met  Captain  Rom- 
bold,  with  whom  he  exchanged  friendly  greetings. 

"  Fellow  passengers  again,  Mr.  Passford  ;  but 
you  are  going  to  your  reward,  and  I  to  my  punish- 
ment," said  the  late  commander  very  cheerfully. 


256  A    VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  Hardly  to  my  reward,  for  I  neither  desire  nor 
expect  any  further  promotion,"  replied  Christy. 
"  I  am  not  yet  twenty  years  old." 

"  But  God  makes  some  fully-developed  men  be- 
fore they  are  twenty-one,  and  you  are  one  of 
them." 

"  Thank  you,  Captain." 

"I  am  willing  to  wager  the  salary  I  have  lost 
that  you  will  be  promoted  whether  you  desire  it 
or  not." 

"I  hope  not,"  replied  the  lieutenant,  as  he  went 
to  the  temporary  stateroom  which  had  been  pre- 
pared for  him. 

The  apartment  was  much  larger  than  the  per- 
manent ones,  and  it  was  provided  with  everything 
that  could  contribute  to  his  comfort.  While  Mr. 
Graines  was  assisting  him  to  arrange  his  baggage, 
the  steamer  got  under  way. 


THE   WELCOME   HOME   AT   BONNYDALE       257 


CHAPTER   XXIII 

THE   WELCOME   HOME   AT   BONNYDALE 

Even  with  the  West  Wind  in  tow,  the  Talla- 
hatchie could  make  fifteen  knots  an  hour ;  for  the 
sea  was  smooth,  with  every  prospect  of  continued 
fine  weather.  Dr.  Davidson  was  a  prisoner  of  war, 
but  he  remained  on  board  in  charge  of  the 
wounded  of  both  sides.  He  was  very  devoted  to 
Christy,  and  dressed  his  wound  every  morning  as 
tenderly  as  his  mother  could  have  done  it.  He 
was  a  gentleman  in  the  highest  sense  of  the  word, 
and  belonged  to  one  of  the  best  families  in  the 
South. 

Captain  Rombold  was  a  very  agreeable  person  ; 
and  most  of  the  conversation  in  the  cabin  was 
carried  on  in  French,  for  the  commander  was  de- 
lighted when  he  could  obtain  an  opportunity  to 
practise  the  language,  and  Dr.  Davidson  spoke  it 
as  fluently  as  a  Frenchman,  though  Captain  Drake 
was  unable  to  understand  a  word  of  it.  If  one 
had  looked  in  upon  them  he  would  have  supposed 


258  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

they  were  enjoying  a  j-achting  excursion,  and 
could  not  have  told  who  were  prisoners  and'  who 
were  not. 

The  two  wounded  officers  passed  a  portion  of 
every  day  on  deck,  and  the  time  slipjoed  away  very 
pleasantly.  Mr.  Graines  spent  much  of  his  days 
and  some  of  his  nights  in  the  engine-room,  and  was 
on  the  best  of  terms  with  the  English  engineers  ; 
but  he  could  discover  no  signs  of  treachery  on 
their  part.  The  prisoners  forward  were  well  treated 
and  well  cared  for,  and  they  made  no  trouble. 

The  ship  made  a  quick  passage  to  New  York, 
and  went  into  the  harbor  with  the  American  flag 
flying  over  the  Confederate  ;  but  this  was  not  an 
uncommon  sight,  and  it  did  not  attract  much  at- 
tention. The  pilot  brought  a  file  of  newspapers, 
and  the  lieutenant  learned  that  Grant  was  still 
"  hammering  away  "  at  the  Confederate  forces  in 
Virginia,  though  without  any  decided  success. 
The  ship  came  to  anchor  at  the  navy  yard,  and 
Captain  Drake  reported  to  the  commandant. 

Lieutenant  Passford  was  well  known  there, 
thouofh  the  intelliorence  of  his  latest  achievement 
had  not  yet  reached  there.  Christy  had  written 
out  his  report  of  the  expedition  to  Mobile  Point, 


THE    WELCOiSIE   HOME   AT   BONNYDALE      259 

and  Captain  Drake  brought  that  of  Captain 
Breaker  of  the  action  with  the  Tallahatcliie.  The 
lieutenant  had  no  official  duty  to  perform,  and  he 
was  at  liberty  to  go  where  he  pleased.  He  pro- 
cured leave  of  absence  for  Mr.  Graines  ;  for  he  was 
himself  still  on  fever  diet,  and  was  rather  weak  so 
that  he  needed  his  assistance. 

"  Home  again,  Charley  !  "  exclaimed  Christy, 
when  they  had  landed  at  the  navy  yard. 

"  That's  so,  and  my  folks  at  home  will  not 
expect  to  see  me,"  replied  the  engineer. 

"  Neither  will  any  one  at  Bonnydale  anticipate 
a  visit  from  me,"  added  Christy.  "  We  know  all 
about  the  sharp  action  of  the  Bellevite  with  the 
Tallahatchie ;  but  no  one  in  these  parts  can  have 
heard  a  word  about  it.  Now,  Charley,  see  if  you 
can  find  a  carriage  for  me ;  "  and  the  wounded 
officer  went  into  an  office  to  wait  for  it. 

The  uniform  of  the  messenger  carried  him  past 
all  sentinels  ;  and  in  half  an  hour  he  returned  in  a 
carriage,  which  was  permitted  to  enter  the  yard  on 
Mr.  Graines's  statement  of  its  intended  use. 
Christy  was  assisted  into  it.  "  Wall  Street  Ferry," 
said  the  lieutenant  to  the  driver. 

"  Why  do  you  go  there  ?  "  asked  the  engineer. 


260  A  YiCTOiiroiJS  union 

"You  wish  to  go  to  the  railroad  station,  do  you 
not?" 

"  I  want  to  find  my  father  if  I  can,  and  I  tliink 
he  must  be  in  the  city,"  rejDlied  Christy,  as  he  gave 
his  companion  the  location  of  the  office  where  he 
did  his  business  with  the  government,  though  he 
made  frequent  visits  to  Washington  for  consulta- 
tion witli  the  officials  of  the  Navy  Department. 

The  carriage  was  retained,  and  in  another  hour 
they  reached  the  office.  Captain  Passford  was  not 
there ;  he  had  gone  to  Washington  three  days 
before,  and  no  one  knew  when  he  would  return. 
Christy  was  prepared  for  this  disappointment, 
and  he  had  arranged  in  his  mind  the  wording  of  a 
telegraphic  message  to  his  father.  While  he  was 
writing  it  out  a  gentleman  came  out  of  the  office 
whom  the  lieutenant  had  met  before. 

"  I  am  delighted  to  see  you,  Mr.  Passford !  " 
exclaimed  the  gentleman,  who  was  in  the  uniform 
of  a  naval  officer,  as  he  extended  his  hand  to  the 
visitor.  "  One  of  our  people  informed  me  that 
the  son  of  Captain  Passford  was  at  the  door,  and  I 
hastened  out  to  see  you.  Won't  you  come  into 
the  office?" 

"  No,  I  thank  you  ;  I  am  not  very  well,  for  I 


THE    WELCOME   HOME   AT    BONNYDALE      261 

was  wounded  in  the  left  arm  in  our  last  action, 
and  I  am  sent  home  by  the  surgeon  on  a  furlough,"" 
replied  Christy.  "  Permit  me,  Captain  Bentwick, 
to  introduce  my  friend,  Mr.  Graines,  third  assist- 
ant engineer  of  the  Bellevite." 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  know  you,  Mr,  Graines," 
added  Captain  Bentwick,  taking  his  hand.  "  I 
am  very  sorry  you  are  wounded,  Mr.  Passford. 
What  can  I  do  for  you?  " 

"  Nothing,  I  thank  you,  at  present.  I  am  writ- 
ing a  message  to  send  to  my  father.  I  was  just 
finishing  it  when  you  came,"  replied  Christy,  as 
he  added  the  finishing  words,  and  passed  it  to  the 
official. 

" '  Sent  home  on  furlough,  slightly  wounded. 
Wish  paroles  for  Captain  George  Rombold  and 
Dr.  Pierre  Davidson,' "  Captain  Bentwick  read 
from  the  paper.  "I  will  have  it  sent  at  once  from 
this  office.  But,  Mr.  Passford,  I  can  parole  these 
officers,  and  it  is  not  necessary  for  you  to  trouble 
your  father  with  such  a  matter.  Who  and  Avhat 
are  the  officers?" 

"  Captain  Rombold  was  the  commander  of  the 
Tallahatchie,  prize  to  the  Bellevite,"  answered 
Christy.     "  When   I   was   in   danger   of   fainting 


262  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

after  the  action  on  the  deck  of  his  ship,  he  sent 
for  his  surgeon,  Dr.  Davidson,  though  his  own 
wound  had  not  been  dressed.  Both  he  and  the 
surgeon  were  extremely  kind  to  me,  and  I  desire 
to  reciprocate  their  good  offices  by  inviting  them 
to  my  father's  house." 

"Where  are  these  gentlemen  now,  Mr.  Pass- 
ford  ?  " 

"  I  left  them  on  board  of  the  prize  at  the  navy 
yard,  sir.  I  am  not  sure  that  they  will  accept 
parole,  for  I  have  not  spoken  to  them  about  it ; 
but  I  am  very  anxious  to  serve  them." 

"  I  know  what  your  father  would  say  if  he  were- 
here,  and  I  will  send  an  officer  authorized  to  take 
their  parole  to  the  navy  yard  at  once.  I  will  in- 
struct him  to  represent  your  desire  to  them  in  the 
strongest  terms,  and  if  they  accept,  to  conduct 
them  to  Bonnydale,  for  I  know  you  must  be  in 
a  hurry  to  get  there,"  continued  Captain  Bent- 
wick,  as  he  shook  the  hands  of  both  officers,  and 
I'eturned  to  the  office. 

"  That  shows  what  it  is  to  have  powerful 
friends,"  said  Mr.  Graines,  when  his  companion 
had  directed  the  driver  to  the  railroad  station. 

"  I     have   not    asked    anything    unreasonable, 


THE   WELCOME   HOME   AT   BONNYDALE      268 

Charley,"  replied  Christy,  sensitive  as  usual  in 
regard  to  influential  assistance. 

"  Certainly  not ;  but  if  I  had  asked  to  have 
your  Confederate  friends  paroled,  a  thousand 
yards  of  red  tape  would  have  to  be  expended 
before  it  could  be  done,"  added  the  engineer 
with  a  laugh. 

They  reached  the  station,  and  discharged  the 
carriage ;  but  they  found  they  had  to  wait  two 
hours  for  a  train  to  Bonnydale.  As  it  was  after 
noon,  they  went  to  a  hotel  for  dinner,  and  passed 
tlie  time  very  impatiently  in  waiting  for  the  train. 
Both  of  them  were  burning  with  the  desire  to  see 
their  friends  at  home ;  but  the  train  started  in  due 
time,  and  they  left  it  at  the  nearest  station  to 
Bonnydale,  proceeding  there  in  a  carriage. 

Christy  gave  the  bell  a  very  vigorous  pull,  and 
the  servant  that  came  to  the  door  was  a  stranrfcr 
to  him.  He  wished  to  see  Mrs.  Passford ;  and  the 
man  was  about  to  conduct  him  to  the  reception 
room,  when  he  bolted  from  him. 

"  Mrs.  Passford  is  engaged  just  now,  sir ;  but  she 
will  be  down  in  a  few  minutes,"  said  the  servant, 
laying  his  hand  on  his  arm  for  the  purpose  of  de- 
taining him. 


264  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"But  I  cannot  wait,"  returned  the  lieutenant 
very  decidedly,  and  he  shook  off  the  man,  and 
began  to  ascend  the  stairs. 

An  instant  later  there  was  a  double  scream  on 
the  floor  above,  and  Mrs.  Passford  rushed  down 
the  steps,  followed  by  Florry.  Christy  retreated 
to  the  hall,  and  a  moment  later  he  was  folded  in 
the  arms  of  his  mother  and  sister,  both  of  whom 
were  kissing  him  at  the  same  time. 

"  But,  my  son,  your  arm  is  in  a  sling !  "  exclaimed 
Mrs.  Passford,  falling  back  with  an  expression  of 
consternation  on  her  face. 

"You  are  wounded,  Christy!"  cried  Florry, 
as  a  flood  of  tears  came  into  her  eyes. 

"  Only  a  scratch,  mother ;  don't  be  alarmed," 
protested  the  lieutenant.  "  It  was  all  nonsense  to 
send  me  home  on  a  furlough  ;  but  it  was  the  com- 
mander's order,  at  the  recommendation  of  Dr. 
Linscott." 

"  But  you  are  wounded,  my  son,"  persisted  his 
mother. 

"  You  have  been  shot  in  the  arm,  Christy," 
added  Florry. 

"Bat  I  was  not  shot  through  the  head  or  the 
heart;  it  is  not  a  bit  of  use  to  make  a  fuss  about 


THE   WELCOME    HOME   AT   BONNYDALE      265 

it;  and  Paul  Vapoor  was  not  wounded,  for  he  had 
to  stay  in  the  engine  room  during  the  action,  and 
he  is  as  hearty  as  a  buck,"  rattled  the  lieutenant, 
and  making  his  pretty  sister  blush  like  a  fresh  rose. 

"  I  am  really  worried  about  it,  my  son.  Where 
is  the  wound  ?  "  asked  his  mother. 

"  Here,  Charley,  tell  them  all  about  it,"  called 
Christy  to  his  companion,  who  had  been  forgotten 
in  the  excitement  of  the  moment. 

"  Why,  Charley  Graines  !  "  exclaimed  Florry, 
rushing  to  him  with  an  extended  hand.  "  I  did 
not  know  you  were  here." 

"I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Charley,  especially  as 
you  have  been  a  fiiend  and  associate  of  my  son, 
as  you  were  before  the  war,"  added  Mrs.  Pass- 
ford. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,  Mrs.  Passford  and 
Miss  Passford,"  said  he,  bowing  to  both  of  them. 
"  I  have  been  on  duty  recently  with  Christy,  and 
I  have  been  looking  out  for  him  on  the  voyage 
home." 

"  Charley  has  been  a  brother  to  me,  and  done 
everything  under  the  canopy  for  me.  I  am  some- 
what fatigued  just  now,"  added  the  lieutenant,  as 
he  seated  himself  on  a  sofa  in  the  hall.     "  He  will 


266  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

answer  your  questions  now,  and  tell  you  that  I  am 
not  killed." 

"  But  come  into  tlie  sitting-room,  m}^  son,  for 
we  can  make  you  more  comfortable  there,"  said  his 
mother,  taking  him  by  the  right  arm,  and  assisting 
him  to  rise. 

"  I  don't  need  any  help,  mamma,"  added  Christy 
playfully,  as  he  rose  from  the  sofa.  ■•'  I  have  not 
been  butchered,  and  I  haven't  anything  but  a  little 
bullet-hole  through  the  fleshy  part  of  my  left  arm. 
Don't  make  a  baby  of  me ;  for  a  commander  in  the 
Confederate  navy  told  me  that  God  made  some 
fully-developed  men  before  they  were  twenty-one, 
and  that  I  was  one  of  them.  Don't  make  me  fall 
from  my  high  estate  to  that  of  an  overgrown 
infant,  mother." 

"  I  will  not  do  anything  of  the  kind,  my  son," 
replied  Mrs.  Passford,  as  she  arranged  the  cushions 
on  the  sofa  for  him.  "  Now,  Florry,  get  a  wrap 
for  him." 

Christy  stretched  himself  out  on  the  sofa,  for  he 
was  really  fatigued  by  the  movements  of  the  fore- 
noon and  the  excitement  of  his  return  to  the  scenes 
of  his  childhood. 

"  Tell  them  what  the   doctors  said   about   my 


"  Mrs.  Passford  rushed  down  the  steps."     Page  264. 


THE    WELCOME   HOME   AT   BONNYDALE      267 

wound,  Charley,"  he  continued,  as  he  arranged 
himself  for  the  enjoyment  of  a  period  of  silence. 

"  Mr.  Passford  has  had  two  surgeons,"  Mr. 
Graines  began. 

"  Then  he  must  have  been  very  badly  wounded ! " 
ejaculated  Florry,  leaping  to  a  very  hasty  con- 
clusion. 

"  Not  at  all,"  protested  the  engineer.  "  Both 
of  them  said  he  was  not  severely  wounded." 

"  Why  was  he  sent  home  on  a  furlough  ? " 
asked  Mrs.  Passford. 

"  Because  the  weather  was  getting  very  hot  in 
the  Gulf  of  Mexico,  and  it  was  believed  that  he 
would  do  better  at  home.  He  has  been  somewhat 
feverish  ;  but  he  is  improving  every  day,  and  in  a 
couple  of  weeks  he  will  be  'as  well  as  ever." 

"Thank  God,  it  is  no  worse  !  "  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Passford. 

Then  she  insisted  that  he  should  be  quiet,  and 
tliey  all  retired  to  the  library. 


268  A  VICTOIIIOUS   UNION 


CHAPTER   XXIV 

LIEUTENANT-COMMANDER  CHRISTOPHEE  PASSFOED 

Christy  Passford  dropped  asleep  when  left 
alone  in  the  sitting-room,  and  his  slumber  lasted 
a  full  hour.  During  this  time  Mr.  Graines  had 
related  the  incidents  of  the  action  in  which  he  had 
been  wounded,  and  given  a  full  account  of  the 
expedition  to  Mobile  Point.  He  was  not  sparing 
in  his  praise ;  but  he  brought  it  out  in  what  had 
been  said  by  others,  especially  by  the  commanders 
of  both  vessels  and  in  the  demonstrations  of  the 
seamen  of  the  Bellevite. 

When  the  wounded  officer  awoke  it  was  with  a 
start,  and  he  was  surprised  to  find  he  had  been 
asleep  in  the  midst  of  such  happy  surroundings. 
He  rose  from  his  couch,  and  found  that  his  mother 
and  sister  had  left  the  room.  He  passed  out  into 
the  hall,  and  there  heard  the  voice  of  the  engineer 
in  the  library  which  he  entered  at  once. 

"  I  hope  you  feel  better,  my  son,"  said  his 
mother,  as  she   and   Florry  rose  from  their  chairs 


LIEUT.-COM.    CHRISTOPHER   PASSFORD       269 

rejoicing  anew  at  his  return  home  after  the  fearful 
peril  through  which  he  had  passed,  for  the  recital 
of  his  brilliant  exploits  by  his  friend  had  been 
intensely  thrilling  to  both  of  them. 

"  I'm  all  right,  mother  dear ;  I  was  only  tired  a 
little,  for  I  have  taken  more  exercise  to-day  than 
usual  lately,"  replied  Christy,  as  Mrs.  Passford 
kissed  him  again  and  again,  and  Florry  followed 
her  example. 

"  Charley  Graines  has  told  us  all  about  it, 
Christy,"  said  his  sister. 

"  So  you  have  been  spinning  a  yarn,  have  you, 
Charley  ?  "  asked  the  hero. 

"  I  have  related  only  the  simple  truth,  Christy, 
for  I  knew  you  would  not  tell  them  the  whole  of 
it,"  replied  the  engineer. 

"  I  am  afraid  you  were  reckless,  my  son."  added 
Mrs.  Passford. 

"  Reckless  !  "  exclaimed  Christy.  "When  I  saw 
my  duty  there  was  no  alternative  but  to  do  it ;  and 
that  was  all  I  did.  "You  have  been  decorating 
your  yarn,  Charley." 

"  Not  a  particle  ;  and  Captain  Breaker  would 
confirm  everything  I  have  said,"  protested  Mr. 
Graines.  "  So  would  Captain  Rombold,  if  he  were 
here,  as  I  suppose  he  will  be  soon." 


270  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

"  That  reminds  me,  mother,  that  you  are  to  have 
some  visitors ;  for  I  expect  Captain  Rombold  and 
Dr.  Davidson  will  be  here  some  time  to-day,  for  I 
have  spoken  to  have  them  paroled,"  interposed 
Christy. 

"Who  is  Dr.  Davidson,  my  son?"  asked  his 
mother. 

"  He  was  the  surgeon  of  the  Tallahatchie.  Both 
of  your  visitors  are  rebels  to  the  very  core,"  added 
the  lieutenant  playfully.  "  I  was  hit  in  the  arm  by 
a  bullet  when  I  was  in  the  mizzen  rigging  ;  but  I 
did  not  report  to  the  surgeon  "  — 

"  As  you  ought  to  have  done,"  interrupted  the 
engineer. 

"  Dr.  Linscott  had  his  hands  full,  and  I  did  not 
want  to  bother  him  then.  I  went  on  board  of  the 
prize  to  take  a  look  at  the  disabled  Armstrong 
gun.  Captain  Rombold,  who  was  wounded  in  the 
right  thigh,  was  sitting  on  the  quarter-deck.  He 
spoke  to  me,  for  I  was  well  acquainted  with  him. 
While  we  were  talking,  I  began  to  feel  faint,  and 
slumped  down  on  the  deck  like  a  woman.  The 
captain  sent  for  his  surgeon,  though  his  own  wound 
had  not  been  dressed;  and  Dr.  Davidson  was  the 
gentleman  who  came,  and  very  soon  I  felt  better. 


LIEUT.-COM.    CHRISTOPHER   PASSFORD        271 

They  treated  me  like  a  brother ;  and  that  is  the 
reason  I  have  asked  to  have  them  both  sent  here." 

"  I  am  very  glad  you  did,  Christy  ;  and  we  will 
do  everything  we  can  for  them,"  added  Mrs. 
Passford. 

The  father  and  mother  of  Mr.  Graines  lived  in 
Montgomery,  two  miles  distant,  and  he  was  anxious 
to  see  them.  Leaving  Christie  in  the  hands  of  his 
mother  and  sister,  he  took  his  leave  early  in  the 
afternoon.  Later  in  the  day  a  carriage  stopped  at 
the  mansion,  and  the  expected  visitors,  attended 
by  the  naval  officer  who  had  paroled  them,  were 
admitted  by  the  servant.  As  soon  as  they  were 
announced,  Christy  hastened  to  the  hall,  foUoAved 
by  his  mother  and  sister.  The  captain  carried  a 
crutch,  and  was  also  supported  by  the  doctor  and 
the  naval  lieutenant. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you.  Captain  Rombold," 
said  Christy,  as  he  gave  his  hand  to  the  com- 
mander. "  And  you,  Dr.  Davidson  ;"  and  he  pro- 
ceeded to  present  them  to  his  mother  and  sister. 

"  This  is  Lieutenant  Alburgh  of  your  navy,  Mr. 
Passford ;  and  he  has  been  very  attentive  to  us," 
interposed  the  surgeon,  introducing  the  paroling 
'officer. 


272  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  I  am  very  happy  to  know  you,  Mr.  Alburgh ;  " 
and  he  presented  him  to  Mrs.  Passford  and  Florry. 

The  lieutenant  declined  an  invitation  to  dinner; 
for  he  was  in  haste  to  return  to  New  York,  going 
back  to  the  station  in  the  carriage  that  had  brougfht 
him.  Mrs.  Passford  invited  the  party  to  the  sitting. 
room,  and  Christy  and  the  doctor  assisted  the 
wounded  commander.  He  was  placed  upon  the 
sofa,  where  he  reclined,  supported  by  the  cushions 
arranged  by  the  lady  of  the  house. 

"  I  am  extremely  grateful  to  you  both,  gentle- 
men, for  your  kindness  to  my  son  when  he  was 
beyond  my  reach,  and  it  affords  me  very  great 
pleasure  to  obtain  the  opportunity  to  reciprocate 
it  in  some  slight  degree,"  said  Mrs.  Passford,  when 
the  captain  declared  that  he  was  very  comfortable 
in  his  position  on  the  sofa. 

"  And  I  thank  you  with  all  my  heart  for  what 
you  did  for  my  brother,"  added  Florry. 

"  You  more  than  repay  me ;  and,  madam,  permit 
me  to  congratulate  you  on  being  the  mother  of  such 
a  son  as  Lieutenant  Passford,"  replied  Captain  Rom- 
bold  warmly.  "  I  am  still  a  rebel  to  the  very  cen- 
tre of  my  being ;  but  that  does  not  prevent  me 
from  giving  the  tribute  of  my  admiration  to  an 


LIEUT.-COM.    CHRISTOPHER   PASSFORD       273 

enemy  who  has  been  as  brave,  noble,  and  generous 
as  your  son.  The  brilliant  exploit  of  Mr.  Passford, 
I  sincerely  believe,  cost  me  my  ship,  and  at  least 
the  lives  or  limbs  of  a  quarter  of  my  ship's  com- 
pany. It  was  one  of  the  most  daring  and  well- 
executed  movements  I  ever  witnessed  in  my  life, 
madam." 

"  Please  to  let  up,  Captain,"  interposed  Christy, 
blushing  as  Florry  would  have  done  if  Paul  Vapoor 
had  entered  the  room  at  that  moment. 

"  He  is  as  modest  as  he  is  brave,  Mrs.  Passford. 
It  was  sheer  admiration  for  the  young  officer  which 
compelled  me  to  send  for  my  own  surgeon  when 
he  sank  fainting  upon  the  deck,  with  the  blood 
streaming  from  the  ends  of  his  fingers,"  added  the 
commander. 

"  If  you  are  going  to  talk  about  this  matter  the 
rest  of  the  day,  Captain  Rombold,  I  must  beg  you 
to  excuse  me  if  I  retire,"  interposed  Christy,  rising 
from  his  chair. 

"  I  won't  say  another  word  about  it,  Mr.  Pass- 
ford !  "  protested  the  captain.  "  But  I  hope  your 
mother  will  have  a  chance  to  read  Captain  Break- 
er's report  of  the  action,  for  he  and  I  are  of  the 
same  opinion  in  regard  to  the  conduct  of  your  son." 


274  A  viCTonious  union 

"  My  husband  will  doubtless  bring  me  a  copy  of 
it,"  added  the  lady. 

In  deference  to  the  wishes  of  Christy,  nothing 
more  was  said  about  the  action,  at  least  so  far  as 
it  related  to  him.  After  some  general  conversa- 
tion, the  surgeon  suggested  that  he  had  not  dressed 
the  wounds  of  his  patients  that  day,  and  the  com- 
mander was  assisted  to  the  principal  guest  chamber, 
while  the  lieutenant  went  to  his  own  apartment. 

Captain  Passford  was  detained  three  days  in 
Washington  by  important  business  at  the  Navy  De- 
partment. Captain  Breaker's  report  of  the  action 
resulting  in  the  capture  of  the  Tallahatchie  had 
reached  its  destination,  and  the  proud  father  was 
in  possession  of  all  the  details  of  the  battle.  He 
telegraphed  and  wrote  to  his  son ;  and  it  Avas 
another  joyful  occasion  at  Bonnydale  when  he 
arrived  there. 

Dr.  Davidson  remained  at  the  mansion  for  three 
weeks,  until  his  patients  were  convalescent,  though 
he  went  every  day  to  the  hospital  of  the  prisoners 
of  war  to  see  the  wounded  of  his  ship.  Captain 
Passford  had  given  the  visitors  a  very  cordial 
and  hearty  welcome  on  his  return,  and  expressed 
his  gratitude  to  them  for  their  kindness  to  his  son 


LIEUT.-COM.    CHRISTOPHER   PASSFORD      275 

in  the  strongest  terms.  He  did  every  possible  thing 
to  promote  their  comfort  and  happiness,  and  the 
reign  of  Christianity  continned  at  Bonnydale  as  it 
had  been  begun  on  board  of  the  Bellevite  and  the 
Tallahatchie. 

In  two  weeks  Christy's  wound  had  practically 
healed,  though  his  arm  was  not  yet  the  equal  of 
the  other.  His  father  spent  all  the  time  he  could 
spare  at  home,  and  long  talks  between  father  and 
son  were  the  order  of  the  day.  The  lieutenant 
had  been  informed  on  his  arrival  of  the  death  of 
Mr.  Pembroke,  Bertha's  father,  two  months  before  ; 
but  she  had  gone  to  visit  an  uncle  in  Ohio,  and 
Christy  had  not  yet  seen  her. 

"  I  expect  Miss  Pembroke  will  be  here  to-morrow, 
Christy,"  said  Captain  Passford  one  day,  about 
three  weeks  after  his  return.  "  I  suppose  you  are 
of  the  same  mind  in  regard  to  her." 

"  I  am,  father,"  replied  Christy,  for  he  was  about 
the  same  as  a  younger  brother  in  his  relations  with 
him.  "  But  I  have  not  heard  a  word  from  her,  any 
more  than  from  you,  since  I  left  home." 

"  There  has  been  no  occasion  to  send  a  store-ship 
or  other  vessel  to  the  Eastern  Gulf  squadron, 
though  one  sailed  about  a  week  before  your  arrival. 


276  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

and  letters  were  forwarded  to  you,"  replied  the 
captain.  "  Doubtless  one  or  more  went  from  her 
to  you.  She  cannot  have  heard  of  your  arrival ; 
for  I  lost  the  address  of  her  uncle  in  Ohio,  and  we 
could  not  write  to  her.  Her  father  had  a  little 
property;  and  at  her  request  I  have  been  appointed 
her  guardian,  and  she  will  reside  at  Bonnydale  in 
the  future." 

Bertha  Pembroke  arrived  the  next  day,  and  what 
Christy  needed  to  complete  his  happiness  was  sup- 
plied, and  now  his  cup  was  overflowing.  But  he 
did  not  forget  that  he  still  owed  a  duty  to  his  suf- 
fering country.  Even  the  fascinations  of  the  beau- 
tiful girl  could  not  entice  him  to  remain  in  his 
beloved  home  while  his  arm  was  needed  to  help  on 
the  nation's  cause  to  a  victorious  Union. 

At  the  end  of  four  weeks,  he  felt  as  well  as  ever 
before  in  his  life,  and  he  was  impatient  to  return 
to  the  Bellevite.  For  a  week  before  he  had  been 
talking  to  his  father  about  the  matter ;  and  Bertha 
knew  her  betrothed,  as  he  was  by  this  time,  too 
well  to  make  any  objection  to  his  intended  depar- 
ture. 

The  Tallahatchie  had  been  promptly  condemned, 
and  the  fact  that  she  was  a  superior  vessel  for  war 


LIEUT.-COM.    CHEISTOFHER   PASSFORD      277 

purposes,  and  her  great  speed  compared  with  most 
vessels  in  the  navy,  had  caused  her  to  be  appropri- 
ated to  the  use  of  the  government.  Orders  had 
been  given  weeks  before  for  lier  thorough  repair 
and  better  armament,  all  of  which  had  been  hastily 
accomplished.  Christy  had  not  been  to  New  York 
since  his  return  ;  and  for  some  reason  of  his  own, 
liis  father  had  said  very  little  to  him  about  the 
service,  perhaps  believing  that  his  son  had  better 
give  his  whole  mind  to  the  improvement  of  his 
health  and  strength. 

"  I  hope  you  have  found  a  vessel  by  which  I  can 
return  to  the  Eastern  Gulf  squadron,  father,"  said 
Christy  one  morning,  with  more  earnestness  than 
usual.  "  I  begin  to  feel  guilty  of  neglect  of  duty 
while  I  am  loafing  about  home." 

"Don't  trouble  yourself,  my  son,"  replied  Cap- 
tain Passford,  who  seemed  to  be  rather  exhilarated 
about  something.  "  You  shall  return  to  your  duty 
in  due  time,  though  not  in  exactly  the  same  posi- 
tion as  before." 

"  Am  I  to  be  appointed  to  same  other  ship, 
father?"  asked  Christy,  gazing  earnestly  into  the 
captain's  face  to  read  what  was  evidently  passing 
in  his  mind,  for  it  made  him  very  cheerful. 


278  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  You  are  to  sail  in  another  ship,  Christy ;  but 
wait  a  minute  and  I  will  return,"  said  Captain 
Passford,  as  he  left  the  sitting-room  and  went  to 
his  library. 

Opening  his  safe  he  took  from  it  a  ponderous 
envelope  bearing  official  imprints,  and  returned  to 
the  sitting-room.  Handing  it  to  his  son,  he  dropped 
into  an  arm-chair  and  observed  him  with  close 
attention. 

"What's  this,  father?  "  asked  the  young  officer, 

"  I  have  had  it  about  three  weeks;  but  waited 
for  your  entire  recovery  before  I  gave  it  to  you," 
replied  the  captain.     "  Open  it." 

Christy  did  so,  read  it,  and  then  in  his  excite- 
ment, dropped  it  on  the  floor.  It  was  his  com- 
mission as  a  lieutenant-commander. 


PRINCIPAL   OFFICERS   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS       279 


CHAPTER   XXV 

THE   PRINCIPAL   OFFICERS   OF   THE   ST,   REGIS 

Christy  Passford  was  astounded  and  con- 
founded when  he  read  the  commission.  He  mod- 
estly believed  that  he  had  ah-eady  been  promoted 
beyond  his  deserving,  though  no  one  else,  not  even 
his  father,  thought  so.  He  had  not  sought  pro- 
motion at  any  time,  and  he  had  been  hurried 
through  four  grades  in  something  over  three  years. 
He  was  the  heir  of  millions,  and  he  had  given  all 
his  pay  to  wounded  sailors  and  the  families  of  those 
who  had  fallen  in  naval  actions. 

His  share  of  the  prize  money  resulting  from  the 
captures  in  which  he  had  taken  part  as  commander 
or  in  some  subordinate  position  had  made  him  a 
rich  man  ;  and  with  his  mother's  assistance,  he  was 
disbursing  no  small  portion  of  his  wealth  among 
those  who  had  been  deprived  of  their  support  by 
the  casualties  of  the  war.  He  had  not  expected 
or  even  hoped  for  any  further  promotion,  though 


280  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

the  newspapers  had  extolled  to  the  skies  his  bril- 
liant exploit  in  the  Gulf. 

"  What  does  this  mean,  father?  "  asked  Christy, 
dropping  into  a  chair  as  if  overwhelmed  by  the 
contents  of  the  envelope. 

"  It  means  just  what  it  says,  my  son,"  replied 
Captain  Passford.  "  But  I  know  that  it  is  neces- 
sary now  for  me  to  explain  that  this  promotion  is 
none  of  my  doing ;  for  I  liave  not  asked  it,  I  have 
not  urged  it,  I  have  not  made  the  remotest  sug- 
gestion that  you  should  be  made  a  lieutenant-com- 
mander, as  I  have  not  done  on  any  former  occasion." 

"  That  is  enough,  father ;  your  plea  of  not  guilty 
would  have  been  enough  to  satisfy  me,"  added 
Christy. 

"  I  prevented  your  appointment  to  the  command 
of  the  Chateaugay,  .and  procured  your  position  as 
second  lieutenant  of  the  Bellevite  ;  and  these  two 
instances  are  absolutely  all  the  requests  I  have 
ever  made  to  the  department  in  relation  to  you," 
protested  the  captain. 

"  That  helps  the  matter  very  much,"  answered 
Christy.  "  I  have  been  the  victim  of  supposed 
partiality,  '  a  friend  at  court,'  and  all  that  sort  of 
thing,  till  I  am  disgusted  with  it." 


PRLNCIPAL    OFFICERS    OF    THE    ST.    REGIS       281 

"  And  all  that  has  been  in  consequence  of  your 
over-sensitiveness  rathej-  than  anything  that  ever 
was  said  about  you." 

"Perhaps  it  was.  But  as  a  lieutenant-com- 
mander I  might  still  remain  as  executive  officer  of 
the  Bellevite,  for  Captain  Breaker  has  been  a  com- 
mander for  over  two  years,"  suggested  Christy. 

"  The  department  has  made  another  disposition 
of  you,  and  without  any  hint  or  suggestion  from 
me,  my  son,"  said  Captain  Passford,  as  he  took 
another  envelope  from  his  pocket,  and  presented  it 
to  his  son.  "  This  came  to  me  by  tliis  morning's 
mail ;  and  I  have  withheld  the  commission  till  I 
received  it." 

"  And  what  may  this  be,  father  ?  "  asked  Christy, 
looking  from  the  missive  to  the  captain's  face, 
which  was  glowing  with  smiles,  for  he  was  as  proud 
of  his  only  son  as  he  ought  to  have  been. 

"  Christy,  you  remind  me  of  some  old  ladies  I 
have  met,  who,  when  they  receive  a  letter,  wonder 
for  five  or  ten  minutes  whom  it  is  from  before  they 
break  the  envelope,  when  a  sight  of  the  contents 
would  inform  tliem  instantly,"  added  the  captain, 
laughing. 

"  But  I  am  afraid  the  contents  of  this  envelope 


282  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

will  be  like  the  explosion  of  a  mine  to  me,  and 
therefore  I  am  not  just  like  the  old  ladies  you  have 
met,"  returned  the  lieutenant-commander.  "  One 
mine  a  day  let  off  in  my  face  is  about  all  I  can 
stand." 

"  Open  the  envelope  !  "  urged  his  father  rather 
impatiently. 

"  It  never  rains  but  it  pours  !  "  exclaimed  Christy, 
when  he  had  looked  over  the  pajDcr  it  enclosed. 
"  I  am  appointed  to  the  command  of  the  St. 
Regis  !  I  think  some  one  who  gives  names  to  our 
new  vessels  must  have  spent  a  summer  with  Paul 
Smith  at  his  hotel  by  the  river  and  lake  of  that 
name  ;  and  the  same  man  probably  selected  the 
name  of  Chateaugay.  I  suppose  it  is  some  little 
snapping  gunboat  like  the  Bronx ;  but  I  don't 
object  to  her  on  that  account." 

"  She  is  nothing  like  the  Bronx,  for  she  is  more 
than  twice  as  large ;  and  you  have  already  seen 
some  service  on  her  deck." 

"  Some  steamer  that  has  had  her  name  changed. 
But  I  have  served  regularly  only  on  board  of  the 
Bellevite  and  the  Bronx,  and  it  cannot  be  either 
of  them,"  said  Christy,  with  a  puzzled  expres- 
sion. 


PRINCIPAL   OFFICERS   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS      283 

"She  is  neither  the  one  nor  the  other.  She  has 
had  three  names :  the  first  was  the  Trafalgar,  the 
second  the  Tallahatchie,  and  the  third  the  St. 
Regis,"  continued  the  captain. 

"  Is  it  possible !  "  exclaimed  Christy,  relapsing 
into  silent  thoughtfulness,  for  he  could  hardly 
believe  the  paper  from  which  he  had  read  his 
appointment ;  and  officers  far  his  senior  in  years 
would  have  rejoiced  to  receive  the  command  of 
such  a  ship. 

"  Not  only  possible,  but  an  accomplished  fact ; 
and  the  only  sad  thing  about  it  is  that  you  must 
sail  in  the  St.  Regis  day  after  to-morrow." 

"  I  am  informed  that  my  orders  will  come  by 
to-morrow,"  added  the  lieutenant-commander. 

"  The  ship  is  all  ready  for  sea.  An  eight-inch 
Parrot  has  been  substituted  for  the  Armstrong  gun, 
the  same  as  the  midship  gun  of  the  Bellevite," 
the  captain  explained.  "  Perhaps  you  would  like 
to  know  something  about  your  fellow-officers, 
Christy." 

"  I  certainly  should,  father,  for  whatever  success 
I  may  have  will  depend  largely  upon  them," 
replied  the  embryo  commander  of  the   St.  Regis. 

"  Your    executive     officer   will    be    Lieutenant 


284  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

George  Baskirk,"  continued  Captain  Passford, 
reading  from  a  paper  he  took  from  his  pocket. 

"  Good  !  He  was  the  second  lieutenant  of  the 
Bronx  when  I  was  in  command  of  her  ;  and  a  better 
or  braver  officer  never  planked  a  deck." 

"  He  was  available,  and  I  suggested  him.  Your 
second  lieutenant  is  Joel  Makepiece,  just  promoted 
from  the  rank  of  master.  He  is  fifty-two  years 
old,  but  as  active  as  ever  he  was.  He  is  a  regular 
old  sea  dog,  and  commanded  an  Indiaman  for  me 
fifteen  years  ago ;  but  you  never  met  him.  He 
has  made  a  good  record  in  the  war,  and  I  feel  sure 
that  you  will  like  him." 

"  I  have  no  doubt  I  shall,  father ;  and  I  like  the 
idea  of  having  an  officer  who  is  old  enough  to  be 
my  father,  and  who  has  had  a  great  deal  of  ex- 
perience at  sea,"  replied  Christy. 

"He  was  an  able  seaman  and  petty  officer  in  the 
navy  for  three  years  when  he  was  a  young  man, 
and  has  served  as  a  master  from  the  beginning  of 
the  war,"  continued  Captain  Passford. 

"  Probably  he  does  not  like  the  idea  of  being 
under  the  command  of  one  who  has  not  yet  reached 
his  majority  in  years,"  suggested  the  commander 
of  the  St.  Regis. 


PRINCIPAL   OFFICERS   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS      285 

"  On  the  contrary,  he  seemed  to  be  delighted 
with  his  appointment.  Your  third  lieutenant  is 
Ensign  Palmer  Drake  who  brought  home  your 
prize." 

"  He  is  a  good  man  and  a  good  officer,  and  I  am 
entirely  satisfied  with  him." 

"  Ensign  Barton  French  is  to  serve  as  master  on 
board  of  your  ship.  Some  doubts  were  expressed 
in  regard  to  his  knowledge  of  navigation,  and  he 
passed  a  very  creditable  examination." 

"  I  am  very  glad  indeed  that  he  has  obtained 
his  promotion,  and  that  he  is  to  sail  with  me," 
added  Christy,  who  had  taken  quite  an  interest 
in  him  as  an  able  seaman,  and  had  procured  his 
appointment  as  prize-master  of  the  West  Wind. 

"  Dr.  Connolly,  who  was  with  jow  in  the  Bronx, 
is  your  surgeon.  The  chief  engineer  of  the  St. 
Regis  is  one  Paul  Vapoor,"  continued  Captain 
Passford,  with  a  very  obvious  twinkle  of  the  eyes. 

"  Paul  Vapoor  !  "  exclaimed  Christy,  leaping  out 
of  the  chair  in  which  he  had  just  settled  himself 
after  the  excitement  of  his  father's  first  announce- 
ment had  partly  subsided. 

"  Paul  Vapoor,"  repeated  the  captain. 

"It  can  hardly  be  possible,"  persisted  Christy. 


286  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?  Has  Captain  Breaker 
fallen  out  with  him?  " 

"  Not  at  all ;  the  commander  of  the  Bellevite 
thinks  as  much  of  him  as  ever  he  did,  and  even  a 
great  deal  more." 

"  Then  how  under  the  canopy  does  Paul  happen  to 
be  appointed  to  the  St.  Regis?"  demanded  Christy. 

Captain  Passford  took  from  his  pocket  a  letter 
he  had  received  from  Captain  Breaker,  and  pro- 
ceeded to  read  portions  of  it,  as  follows :  "  If 
Christy  is  not  promoted  and  given  an  adequate 
independent  command,  I  shall  be  disappointed ;  and 
given  such  whether  he  consents  or  not.  He  has 
never  been  wanting  in  anything ;  and  though  I  say 
it  to  his  father,  there  is  not  a  more  deserving 
officer  in  the  service,  not  even  one  who  is  ten  years 
older.  I  have  expressed  myself  fully  in  my  report. 
I  believe  his  gallant  exploit  in  the  late  action  with 
the  Tallahatchie  saved  the  lives  of  at  least  one- 
fourth  of  my  ship's  company  ;  and  it  thinned  out 
the  ranks  of  the  enemy  in  about  the  same  propor- 
tion. Captain  Rombold  insists  that  he  should  have 
captured  the  Bellevite  if  the  tide  had  not  been  thus 
turned  against  him ;  but  I  do  not  admit  this,  of 
course. 


PEINCIPAL   OFFICERS   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS      287 

"  I  still  set  the  higliest  value  upon  the  services 
of  Chief  Engineer  Paul  Vapoor,  and  I  should 
regret  exceedingly  to  lose  him.  But  Christy  and 
Paul  have  been  the  most  intimate  friends  from 
their  school  days ;  and  if  your  son  is  appointed  to 
an  independent  command,  as  I  believe  he  ought  to 
be,  it  would  do  something  towards  reconciling  him 
to  his  appointment  if  his  crony  were  in  the  same 
ship  with  him.  For  this  reason,  and  this  alone,  I 
am  willing  to  sacrifice  my  own  wishes  to  the  good 
of  the  service.  I  have  talked  with  Paul  about  the 
matter,  and  he  would  be  delighted  to  be  the  com- 
panion of  Christy,  even  in  a  small  steamer." 

"  Captain  Breaker  is  very  kind  and  very  con- 
siderate, as  he  always  was  ;  and  I  shall  certainly 
feel  more  at  home  on  board  of  the  St.  Regis  with 
Paul  Vapoor  as  her  chief  engineer,"  replied  Christy ; 
and  the  effect  seemed  to  be  what  the  commander 
of  the  Bellevite  anticipated.  "  Go  on  with  the 
list,  father." 

"  Paul's  first  assistant  engineer  will  be  Charles 
Graines,"  continued  Captain  Passford. 

"  That  is  very  good  ;  but  Charley  is  a  sailor  as 
well  as  a  machinist,  and  I  may  borrow  him  of  Paul 
on  some  special  occasions,  for  he  has  what  Captain 


288  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Breaker  calls  ingenuity,  as  well  as  bravery  and 
skill." 

"  The  second  assistant  is  Amos  Bolter,  a  brother 
of  Leon,  who  has  been  first  assistant  of  the  Belle- 
vite  from  the  beginning  of  the  war,  and  who  has 
been  promoted  to  chief  at  the  suggestion  of  the 
commander  in  the  letter  from  which  I  have  just 
read.  The  third  assistant  is  John  McLaughlin, 
whom  Paul  knows  if  you  do  not.  These  are  your 
principal  officers ;  and  we  had  better  go  and  see 
your  mother  and  Florry  now." 

"  I  have  good  news  for  you  and  your  family. 
Captain  Passford,  for  I  am  informed  that  I  have 
been  exchanged,  and  need  trespass  no  longer  upon 
your  generous  and  kindly  hospitality,"  said  the 
commander. 

"  That  is  no  news  to  me.  Captain  Rombold,  for 
I  had  the  pleasure  of  suggesting  the  officers  for 
whom  you  and  the  doctor  might  be  exchanged," 
replied  the  host  with  a  pleasant  laugh.  "But  I 
assure  you  in  all  sincerity  that  you  have  both  of 
you  been  the  farthest  possible  from  trespassers." 

"  I  do  not  feel  that  I  have  yet  half  reciprocated 
the  kindness  you  extended  to  my  son,"  added 
Mrs.  Passford. 


PRINCIPAL   OFFICERS    OF   THE   ST.    REGIS      289 

"  I  wish  I  could  do  ten  times  as  much  for  you  as 
I  have  been  able  to  do,"  said  Floriy. 

"Though  wounded  I  have  passed  four  of  the 
pleasantest  weeks  of  my  life  here  ;  and  I  shall 
never  forget  your  kindness  to  me,"  said  the  com- 
mander, grasping  the  hand  of  his  host;  and  his 
example  was  followed  by  the  surgeon. 

"  We  have  been  made  happier  by  your  presence 
with  us  than  we  could  have  made  you,  gentle- 
men," added  Mrs.  Passford. 

Not  a  word  about  politics  or  the  cause  of  the 
war  had  been  spoken. 


290  A  VICTORIOUS   U>JION 


CHAPTER   XXVI 

THE    ST.    REGIS    IN     COIMMISSION 

The  kindly  expressions  of  feeling  which  passed 
between  the  hosts  and  their  guests  were  far  from 
being  mere  compliments,  for  the  Confederate  com- 
mander and  surgeon  had  made  themselves  very- 
agreeable.  Quite  a  number  of  pleasant  parties 
had  been  given  in  compliment  to  them  and  Christy. 
But  the  family  felt  that  they  owed  a  debt  of 
gratitude  to  their  guests  which  they  could  not 
repay;  and  enemies  though  they  were,  the  most 
eminent  personages  on  the  Federal  side  could  not 
have  been  better  treated. 

"  I  am  sorry  you  are  going,  though  I  congrat- 
ulate you  on  the  prospect  now  before  you  of 
returning  to  your  friends,"  said  Captain  Passford, 
after  the  conversation  had  continued  for  half  an 
hour.  "  But  I  did  not  come  in  to  receive  your 
adieus ;  only  to  introduce  to  you,  and  to  Mrs. 
Passford  and  Florry,  a  new  character,  who  has  just 
stepped  upon  the  stage  of  action. 


THE   ST.    REGIS    IN   COMMISSION  291 

"  Draw  it  mild,  papa,"  interposed  Christy,  shrug- 
ging his  shoulders. 

"I  have  the  pleasure  oi  presenting  to  you 
Lieutenant-Commander  Christopher  Passford." 

Captain  Rombold  and  Dr.  Davidson  set  to  clap- 
ping their  hands  as  though  they  had  suddenly 
gone  crazy.  When  the  former  had  nearly  blis- 
tered his  own,  he  rushed  to  the  newly-promoted, 
and  grasped  his  hands  with  a  pressure  which  made 
the  recipient  of  his  warm  greeting  squirm  with  pain, 

"  I  congratulate  you  with  all  my  heart  and 
mind,  Commander  Passford,"  he  added,  with  ex- 
ceeding warmth.  "  I  know  that  you  deserved  this 
promotion,  and  I  was  sure  you  would  get  it  from 
the  moment  I  saw  you  in  the  mizzen  rigging  of 
the  Bellevite,  and  within  the  same  minute  leaping 
over  the  rail  of  the  Tallahatchie,  closely  followed 
by  thirty  or  forty  of  your  seamen.  I  lost  all  hope 
of  taking  your  ship  then,  for  almost  at  the  same 
instant  came  the  discharge  of  the  thirty-pounder  I 
had  prepared  to  lay  low  half  your  boarders.  I  told 
you  tliis  would  come,  but  you  seemed  to  be  doubt- 
ful of  it ;  and  I  repeat  what  I  have  said  before,  that 
God  makes  some  fully-developed  men  before  they 
are  twenty-one." 


292  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

The  surgeon  followed  the  example  of  his  fellow- 
prisoner  ;  and  then  Christy's  mother  and  sister 
hugged  and  kissed  him,  and  he  heartily  returned 
their  affectionate  embraces. 

"  I  have  only  to  add  that  my  son  has  been 
appointed  to  the  command  of  the  St.  Regis,  a 
steamer  of  over  eight  hundred  tons,  and  reputed 
to  have  a  speed  of  twenty  knots  an  hour,  though  I 
have  some  doubts  in  regard  to  the  last  item,"  said 
Captain  Passford. 

"  I  cannot  wish  him  success  in  his  new  command, 
for  that  would  be  treason ;  but  I  have  no  doubt  he 
will  damage  our  cause  even  more  than  he  has  in 
the  past ;  and  so  far  as  he  is  personally  concerned, 
I  can  wish  liim  success  with  all  my  heart,"  added 
Captain  Rombold.  "  I  have  kept  a  list  of  the 
names  of  the  vessels  in  the  Federal  navy  so  far  as 
I  could  obtain  them  ;  but  it  does  not  include  the 
St.  —  What  3^ou  call  her?  I  never  heard  the 
name  before." 

"The  St.  Regis,  after  a  river  in  the  Adiron- 
dacks,"  ^rid  Captain  Passford,  laughing.  "  But  I 
can  assure  you,  Cajitain,  that  you  know  her  better 
than  any  of  the  rest  of  us,  for  I  never  even  saw 
her." 


THE   ST.    EEGIS   IN   COMMISSION  293 

"  The  St.  Regis?  "  interrogated  the  commander, 
puzzled  by  the  assertion. 

"  Just  now  this  steamer  is  something  like  a 
newly-married  widow,  for  she  is  entering  upon  her 
third  name,"  continued  the  host,  very  lightly. 
"  Formerly  she  was  the  Trafalgar,  a  highly  hon- 
ored name  in  British  history;  but  more  recently 
she  received  the  name  of  Tallahatchie;  and  now 
she  becomes  the  St.  Regis." 

"  I  see,"  replied  the  Confederate  commander, 
evidently  trying  to  hide  his  intense  chagrin  that 
the  magnificent  steamer,  purchased  by  Colonel 
Homer  Passford  for  him,  had  so  soon  become 
a  ship  belonging  to  the  Federal  navy.  "  You 
expressed  a  doubt  in  regard  to  her  speed,  my  dear 
Captain." 

"  I  simply  doubted  if  she  could  make  twenty 
knots  an  hour,  for  the  Bellevite  overhauled  her 
without  difficulty." 

"  That  was  because  our  coal  was  very  bad. 
The  Trafalgar  made  twenty  knots  an  hour  several 
times  when  she  was  under  my  command." 

"  So  much  the  better.  Captain ;  if  the  speed  is 
in  her,  her  new  engineer  will  get  it  out  of  her," 
replied  the   host.     "  But   I  must  take   the   next 


294  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

train  for  New  York,  and  I  am  going  over  to  see 
the  St.  Regis,  for  slie  has  been  put  in  the  best 
of  repair.  Perhaps  you  would  like  to  go  with  me, 
Christy." 

"  I  should,  father ;  I  was  expecting  Charley 
Graines  over  this  morning,  and  he  would  like  to 
see  his  future  home  on  the  deep,"  replied  the 
lieutenant-commander. 

"  He  is  in  the  reception-room  now,  waiting  to 
see  you,"  said  Florry. 

"  I  have  his  appointment  in  my  pocket,  and  you 
may  give  it  to  him,  my  son,"  added  the  captain. 

The  guests  were  not  to  leave  at  once,  and  the 
trio  hastened  to  the  train.  As  soon  as  they  were 
seated,  Christy  gave  his  friend  the  envelope  con- 
taining his  appointment,  and  Charley  Graines  was 
quite  as  happy  as  the  future  commander  of  the  St. 
Regis.  On  the  way  the  latter  gave  the  other  all 
the  news  that  had  come  out  that  morning. 

"  I  suppose  Paul  Vapoor  will  not  come  on  board 
till  we  get  to  the  Gulf,  father,"  said  Christy. 

"  You  will  receive  your  orders  to-morrow,  as  you 
have  been  advised ;  and  though  I  cannot  properly 
inform  you  where  yoT  will  be  bound,  I  can  tell 
you  where  you  are      )t  bound  ;  you  are  not  going 


THE   ST.    REGIS   IN   COMMISSION  295 

to  the  Gulf^  of  Mexico/'  answered  Captain  Pass- 
ford. 

"  Not  to  the  Gulf  ?  All  my  service  so  far  in 
blockaders  has  been  in  the  Gulf,  and  this  will  be  a 
tremendous  change  for  me.  But  where  shall  we 
pick  up  our  chief  engineer  ?  " 

"About  all  the  business  growing  out  of  the 
capture  of  the  Tallahatchie,  including  the  promo- 
tions, was  done  very  nearly  four  weeks  ago.  I 
was  in  Washington  when  Captain  Breaker's  very 
full  report  came,  and  the  officers  were  promoted 
then.  The  appointments  were  also  made  then ; 
but  I  have  been  obliged,  for  reasons  not  necessary 
to  be  named,  to  keep  them  to  myself.  The  steamer 
that  carried  a  cargo  of  coal,  provisions,  and  stores 
to  the  Eastern  Gulf  squadron,  was  the  bearer  of 
Paul's  appointment  to  the  St.  Regis,  and  Mr. 
Bolter's  commission  as  chief  engineer  of  the 
Bellevite.  Your  friend  was  ordered  to  report  at 
the  Brooklyn  Navy  Yard  at  once.  The  steamer 
in  which  he  came  put  in  at  Delaware  Breakwater, 
short  of  coal.  He  v»^ill  be  here  by  to-morrow 
morning,  or  sooner." 

After  a  visit  at  his  office  Captain  Passford  and 
his  companions  proceeded  to  the  navy  yard.     The 


296  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

St.  Regis  was  off  the  shore  at  anchor.  She  was  a 
magnificent  steamer;  and  the  captain  indulged  in 
an  exclamation,  which  he  seldom  did,  when  she 
was  pointed  out  to  him.  She  was  all  ready  for 
sea,  and  would  go  into  commission  as  soon  as  her 
commander  presented  himself.  They  went  on 
board  of  her,  and  were  heartily  welcomed  by  such 
officers  as  had  already  occupied  their  staterooms. 

Captain  Passford  went  all  over  her,  accom- 
panied by  Christy,  while  the  new  first  assistant 
engineer  confined  his  attention  to  the  engine.  The 
lieutenant-commander  informed  the  proper  officer 
of  the  yard  that  he  would  hoist  the  flag  on  board 
of  the  St.  Regis  at  noon  the  next  day.  The  party 
took  their  leave,  and  in  the  afternoon  returned  to 
Bonnydale. 

The  guests  were  now  relieved  from  their  pa- 
role, and  they  took  their  leave  before  night,  with 
a  repetition  of  the  good  wishes  which  had  been  ex- 
pressed before.  The  next  morning  Christy  was  at 
the  railroad  station  on  the  arrival  of  the  train  from 
New  York,  and  the  first  person  that  rushed  into 
his  arms  like  a  school-girl  was  Paul  Vapoor.  Of 
course  Christy  was  delighted  to  see  him,  but  he 
kept  watching  the  steps  of  the  principal  car  all  the 


THE   ST.    EEGIS    IN   COMMISSION  297 

time.  At  last  he  discovered  Bertha  Pembroke, 
and  he  rushed  to  her,  leaving  Paul  talking  into 
the  air. 

He  grasped  the  beautiful  maiden  by  both  hands, 
and  both  of  them  blushed  like  a  carnation  pink. 
The  young  officer  was  not  given  to  demonstrations 
in  public,  and  he  reserved  them  to  a  more  suitable 
occasion.  He  picked  up  her  hand-bag  and  bundles 
which  she  had  dropped  when  the  lover  took  pos- 
session of  her,  and  conducted  her  to  his  father's 
carriage. 

Christy  presented  her  to  Paul,  who  had  heard 
much  about  her,  but  had  never  seen  her.  He  was 
simply  polite,  though  there  was  mischief  in  his  eye, 
and  the  commander  was  in  danger  of  being  teased 
very  nicely  when  they  were  alone  together.  Both 
Bertha  and  Paul  were  cordially  welcomed  by  Mrs. 
Passford  and  Florry,  and  Christy  needed  nothing 
more  to  complete  his  happiness. 

But  there  was  no  time  to  spare,  and  Captain 
Passford  hurried  them  without  mercy,  and  with- 
out considering  that  the  lovers  had  not  met  before 
for  several  months ;  but  the  commander  of  the  St. 
Regis  was  to  hoist  his  flag  at  noon,  and  there  was 
no   room   for  long   speeches.     Christy   and   Paul 


298  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

hurried  themselves  into  their  new  uniforms,  not 
made  for  the  occasion,  but  kept  in  store.  The  en- 
gineer's uniform  was  all  right  as  it  was,  for  he  had 
before  reached  the  top  of  the  ladder  in  his  profes- 
sion, but  Florry  had  changed  the  shoulder-straps  of 
her  brother. 

Captain  Passf ord  was  not  remorseless  in  separat- 
ing the  newly  reunited  friends  ;  for  Paul  and  Flora 
had  done  some  blushing,  and  had  crept  away  into  a 
corner  of  the  great  drawing-room  as  soon  as  he  had 
put  on  his  best  uniform,  and  he  finally  insisted  that 
all  the  ladies  should  go  to  the  navy  yard  and  wit- 
ness the  ceremony.  The  company  were  rather  late ; 
but  the  captain  had  sent  a  man  to  the  station  in 
advance,  and  the  train  was  held  for  them. 

It  is  hardly  necessary  to  state  in  what  manner 
the  seats  in  the  car  were  occupied ;  but  the  captain 
and  Mrs.  Passf  ord  had  to  sit  together.  A  navy  yard 
tugboat  was  at  the  foot  of  Grand  Street  on  the  ar- 
rival of  the  party,  for  it  had  been  telegraphed  for 
early  in  the  morning.  Captain  Passford  was  a 
very  distinguished  magnate  in  the  eyes  of  all  naval 
officers,  not  only  on  account  of  his  great  wealth, 
but  because  he  was  the  most  influential  man  in  the 
city  at  the  department. 


THE   ST.    REGIS   IN   COMMISSION  299 

Half  an  hour  before  the  time  the  party  were  on 
the  deck  of  the  St.  Regis.  All  the  officers  were 
now  on  board ;  and  while  Paul  was  showing  the 
ladies  over  the  vessel,  the  commander  was  renew- 
ing his  acquaintance  with  Mr.  Baskirk,  the  execu- 
tive officer.  His  father  introduced  Mr.  Makepeace 
to  him ;  and  he  found  him  a  sturdy  old  salt,  without 
as  much  polish  as  many  of  the  officers,  but  a  gentle- 
man in  every  respect. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  know  you.  Captain  Pass- 
ford,"  said  Mr.  Makepeace.  "We  have  one  of  the 
most  brilliant  commanders  in  the  service,  and  I 
suppose  he  will  make  things  hum  on  board  of  the 
St.  Regis,  if  we  get  into  action,  as  we  are  likely  to 
do  under  his  lead." 

"  I  shall  try  to  do  my  whole  duty,  and  I  shall 
endeavor  not  to  make  any  sensation  about  it,"  re- 
plied Christy,  as  he  turned  from  the  second  to 
greet  the  third  lieutenant,  Mr.  Drake,  who  had 
been  his  shipmate  on  board  of  the  Bellevite,  and 
the  commander  of  the  Tallahatchie  while  he  was  a 
passenger  on  board. 

The  ship's  company  had  already  been  mustered 
on  deck.  They  were  dressed  in  their  best  uni- 
forms, and  they  were  a  fine-looking   set  of   men. 


800  A   VICTOKIOUS    UNION 

They  had  all  heard  of  Lieutenant  Passford,  and 
they  were  proud  and  happy  to  serve  under  his  com- 
mand. Promptly  at  noon,  as  the  church  bells  on 
shore  were  striking  the  hour,  Commander  Passford 
mounted  a  dais,  and  his  commission  was  read  to 
the  ship's  company.  He  then  made  a  short  speech 
suited  to  the  occasion,  and  ordered  the  colors  to  be 
run  up  to  the  peak.  The  ship  was  then  in  com- 
mission, and  she  was  to  sail  on  the  tide  the  next 
day.  The  subordinate  officers  and  seamen  tlieii 
gave  three  cheers,  in  which  every  person  seemed 
to  put  his  whole  heart. 

Christy  conducted  Bertha  to  the  captain's  cabin, 
which  had  been  restored  to  its  original  condition 
and  refurnished.  A  lunch  was  served  to  the  whole 
party  under  an  awning  on  the  quarter-deck.  Mr. 
Drake,  an  eye-witness  and  actor  in  the  battle, 
fought  it  over  for  the  benefit  of  the  ladies;  and 
before  night  they  all  returned  to  Bonnydale,  where 
it  required  at  least  three  rooms  to  accommodate 
them  during  the  evening. 


CAPTAIN   PASSFOKD   ALONE   IN    HIS   GLORY      301 


CHAPTER  XXVII 

CAPTAIN   PASSFORD    ALONE   IN   HIS   GLOEY 

Christy  Passford  was  stirring  at  an  early  hour 
the  next  mornino-,  and  so  was  Bertha  Pembroke ; 
for  the  St.  Regis  was  to  sail  that  day,  though  the 
tide  did  not  serve  till  four  in  the  afternoon.  After 
breakfast  his  father  called  him  into  the  library, 
and  closed  the  door.  Captain  Passford  had  remained 
in  the  city  the  evening  before  till  the  last  train, 
and  it  was  evident  that  he  had  something  to  say 
to  his  son. 

"  I  have  no  information  to  give  you  this  time, 
Christy,  in  regard  to  the  coming  of  blockade-run- 
ners or  steamers  for  the  Confederate  navy,"  said 
he.  "  But  I  have  been  instructed  to  use  my  own 
judgment  in  regard  to  what  I  may  say  to  you 
about  your  orders.  Of  course  you  have  observed 
that  the  blockading  squadrons  in  the  Gulf  have 
been  greatly  reduced." 

"  Only  the  Bellevite  and  Holyoke  remained  off 
the    entrance    to    Mobile    Bay,"    added    Christy. 


302  A    VICTORIOUS    UNIOK 

"  We  have  had  a  very  quiet  time  of  it  since  I 
joined  the  Bellevite,  and  the  action  with  the  Tal- 
lahatchie was  really  the  only  event  of  any  great 
importance  in  which  I  have  been  engaged." 

"The  enemy  and  their  British  allies  have  been 
so  unfortunate  in  the  Gulf  that  they  have  chosen  a 
safer  approach  to  the  shores  of  the  South.  Nearly 
all  the  blockade-runners  at  the  present  time  go 
in  at  the  Cape  Fear  River,  where  the  shoal  water 
favors  them.  A  class  of  steamers  of  light  draft 
and  great  speed  are  constructed  expressly  to  go 
into  Wilmington.  Over  -$65,000,000  have  been 
invested  in  blockade-running ;  and  in  spite  of  the 
caj)ture  of  at  least  one  a  week  by  our  ships,  the 
business  appears  to  pay  immense  profits.  The 
port  of  Charleston  is  closed  to  them  now,  as  well 
as  many  others." 

"  I  have  studied  this  locality  of  the  coast  at  the 
mouth  of  the  Cape  Fear  River,  and  the  blockade- 
runners  certainly  have  their  best  chance  there," 
said  Christy. 

"  The  whole  attention  of  the  government,  so  far 
as  blockade-running  is  concerned,  has  been  di- 
rected to  the  apiH'oaches  of  Wilmington.  Forts 
Fisher,  Caswell,  and  Smith  afford  al)undant  pro- 


CAPTAIN   PASSFOED   ALONE   IN   HIS   GLOIIY     303 

tection  to  the  light  draft  steamers  as  soon  as  they 
get  into  the  shoal  ^yater  where  our  gunboats  as  a 
rule  cannot  follow  them.  The  one  thing  we  need 
down  there  is  fast  steamers.  It  is  a  stormy  coast, 
and  our  smaller  gunboats  cannot  safely  lie  off  the 
coast." 

"  I  have  read  that  a  single  successful  venture 
in  this  business  sometimes  pays  for  the  steamer 
many  times  over." 

"  That  is  quite  true,  and  the  business  prospers, 
though  there  are  fifty  or  more  Federal  cruisers  and 
gunboats  patrolling  the  shore.  Now,  Christy,  you 
are  to  be  sent  to  this  locality  with  the  St.  Regis ; 
but  you  are  to  be  in  the  outer  circle  of  blockaders, 
so  to  speak,  as  your  sealed  orders  will  inform  you."' 

"  Of  course  I  shall  obey  my  orders,  whatever 
they  are,"  added  the  commander. 

"  I  have  nothing  more  to  say,  and  you  will  re- 
gard what  has  passed  between  you  and  me  as 
entirely  confidential,"  said  Captain  Passford,  as  he 
rose  to  leave  the  library. 

"  By  the  way,  father,  what  has  become  of  Mon- 
sieur Gilfleur  ?  "  asked  Christy.  "  I  have  not 
seen  him  since  my  return." 

"Just  now  he  is  working  up  a  case  of  treason  in 


304  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Baltimore,  tliougli  I  expected  liim  home  before 
this  time,"  replied  tlie  captain. 

"I  am  sorry  I  have  not  seen  him,  for  he  and 
I  had  become  great  friends  before  we  parted.  I 
think  he  is  in  some  respects  a  remarkable  man." 

"  In  his  profession  he  is  unexcelled ;  and  what 
is  more  in  that  line,  he  is  honest  and  reliable." 

"  I  learned  all  that  of  him  while  we  were  operat- 
ing together.  It  is  said,  and  I  suppose  it  is  true, 
that  about  every  one  of  the  blockaders  makes  a 
port  at  Halifax,  the  Bermudas,  or  Nassau,  as  much 
to  learn  the  news  and  obtain  a  pilot,  as  to  replenish 
their  coal  and  stores." 

"  That  is  unfortunately  true  ;  and  the  neutrality 
of  these  places  is  strained  to  its  utmost  tension,  to 
say  nothing  of  its  manifest  violations." 

"  I  think  if  Monsieur  Gilfleur  and  myself  could 
make  another  visit  to  the  Bermudas  and  Nassau, 
we  might  pick  up  information  enough  to  insure 
the  capture  of  many  blockade-runners,  and  perhaps 
of  an  occasional  Confederate  cruiser,"  said  Christy, 
laughing  as  he  spoke. 

"  That  is  not  the  sort  of  business  for  a  lieuten- 
ant-commander in  the  navy,  my  son ;  but  I  have 
thought  of  sending  the  detective  on  such  a  mission 


CAPTAIN   PASSFORD   ALONE   IN   HIS   GLORY     305 

since  the  remarkable  success  you  and  he  had  in 
your  former  venture.  But  you  escaped  hanging 
or  a  Confederate  prison  only  by  the  skin  of  your 
teeth.  The  difficulty  in  another  enterprise  of  that 
sort  would  be  for  Mr.  Gilfleur  to  put  the  informa- 
tion he  obtained  where  it  would  do  the  most  good. 
If  he  wrote  letters,  they  would  betray  him  ;  and  if 
he  went  off  in  a  Bahama  boat,  as  he  did  before,  we 
should  have  to  keep  a  steamer  cruising  in  the  vi- 
cinity of  his  field  of  operations  to  meet  him  when 
he  came  off.  I  came  to  the  conclusion  that  the 
scheme  was  impracticable,  for  it  was  only  a  combi- 
nation of  favorable  circumstances  that  rendered 
your  operations  successful.  I  prefer  to  trust  to 
the  speed  of  the  St.  Regis  to  enable  you  to  accom- 
plish the  same  results  off  the  coast,"  said  Captain 
Passford,  as  they  left  the  library. 

"  I  should  really  like  to  see  Monsieur,  for  he  is 
a  very  agreeable  companion,"  replied  Christy. 

"  He  would  be  exceedingly  pleased  to  meet  you 
again,  for  he  had  become  very  much  attached 
to  you." 

After  lunch  the  same  party  that  had  visited  the 
St.  Regis  the  day  before  left  on  the  train  for  'New 
York,  and  proceeded  to  the  navy  yard  from  the 


306  A  VICTORIOUS   UNION 

foot  of  Grand  Street,  for  all  of  them  wislied  to  see 
Christy  off.  Captain  Passford,  Junior,  was  re- 
ceived on  board  of  his  ship  with  all  due  form  and 
ceremony.  Paul  Vapoor  had  been  to  his  home  for 
a  brief  visit  to  his  mother  and  sisters  ;  but  he  had 
gone  to  Bonnydale  as  eaily  in  the  morning  as  it 
was  decent  to  do  so,  and  was  all  devotion  to  Florry. 

Mr.  Baskirk,  the  executive  ofBcer,  had  the  ship 
in  first-rate  order  when  the  commander  went  on 
board  with  his  party ;  and  as  there  was  nothing  for 
him  to  do,  Christy  devoted  himself  to  the  enter- 
tainment of  his  friends.  The  ladies  with  their 
escorts  went  all  over  the  steamer  again ;  the  com- 
mander and  Paul  opened  their  staterooms  for  their 
examination,  and  Charley  Graines  showed  them 
that  of  the  first  assistant  engineer  in  the  steer- 
age. 

"But  you  have  a  whole  cabin  to  yourself, 
Christy,"  said  Bertha,  after  she  looked  into  all  the 
other  rooms. 

"  I  have  the  honor  to  be  the  commander  of  the 
ship,"  replied  Christy  lightly.  "  I  have  two  state- 
rooms, so  that  if  I  had  the  happiness  to  relieve  a 
forlorn  maiden  from  captivity  on  board  of  one  of 
the  enemy's  vessels,  as  I  did  in  your  case.  Bertha, 


CAPTAIN   PASSFORD   ALONE   IN   HIS   GLORY     307 

I  should  have  a  better  apartment  to  offer  her 
than  I  had  then." 

The  first  half  of  the  afternoon  passed  away  all 
too  soon  for  those  who  were  to  sail  on  the  tide, 
and  those  who  were  to  return  to  Bonnydale.  The 
commander  took  leave  of  his  parents,  his  sister, 
and  Bertha  in  his  cabin,  where  Paul  passed 
through  the  same  ordeal  with  ]\Iiss  Florry.  The 
navy-yard  tender  was  alongside;  and  the  ladies 
were  assisted  on  board  of  her  by  the  officers,  while 
the  seamen  under  the  direction  of  Mr.  IMakepeace 
were  heaving  up  the  anchor. 

"  Cable  up  and  down,  sir,"  reported  the  second 
lieutenant. 

This  was  the  signal  for  the  departure  of  the 
tender ;  and  another  hasty  adieu  followed,  when 
the  commander  and  the  chief  engineer  hastened  to 
the  deck.  The  men  forward  had  suspended  their 
labor  when  the  cable  was  up  and  down.  The  com- 
mander gave  the  order  to  weigh  the  anchor.  The 
tide  was  still  on  the  flood,  and  the  head  of  the 
ship  was  pointed  very  nearly  in  the  direction  she 
was  to  sail. 

"  Anchor  aweigh,  sir!  "  reported  Mr.  Makepeace. 

"Strike  one  bell,  Mr.   Baskirk,"  said  Christy; 


308  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

and  the  order  was  repeated  to  the  quartermaster 
who  was  conning  the  wheel. 

The  screw  of  the  St.  Regis  began  to  turn,  and 
she  went  ahead  very  slowly.  The  tender  was  a 
short  distance  from  her,  and  all  the  ladies  were 
waving  their  handkerchiefs  with  all  their  might ; 
and  their  signals  were  returned,  not  only  by 
Christy  and  Paul,  but  by  all  the  officers  on  deck. 
The  seamen  could  not  comfortably  "  hold  in,"  and 
they  saluted  the  tender  with  three  rousing  cheers, 
for  they  knew  that  the  family  of  their  young  com- 
mander were  on  board  of  her. 

The  little  steamer  followed  the  ship  till  she  had 
passed  the  Battery,  a  repetition  of  the  former 
salute,  and  then  the  tender  sheered  off,  and  went 
up  North  River,  the  ship  proceeding  on  her  course 
for  the  scene  of  her  future  exploits.  The  parting 
of  Christy  with  his  father,  mother,  and  sister  had 
been  less  sad  than  on  former  occasions ;  for  they 
believed,  whether  with  good  reason  or  not,  that 
the  son,  brother,  and  lover  was  to  be  exposed  to 
less  peril  than  usual. 

Christy  had  received  his  sealed  orders  on  board 
from  an  officer  sent  specially  to  deliver  them  to 
him  in  person  ;  and  he  was  instructed  to  open  the 


CAPTAIN    PASSFOKD    ALONE    IN    HIS    GLORY    309 

envelope  off  Cape  Henlopen.  At  six  o'clock  the 
St.  Regis  was  off  Sandy  Hook.  Four  bells,  which 
was  the  signal  to  the  engine  room  to  go  ahead  at 
full  speed,  had  been  sounded  as  soon  as  the  ship 
had  passed  through  the  Narrows. 

After  the  young  commander  had  taken  his  sup- 
per, solitary  and  alone  in  his  great  cabin,  he  went 
on  deck.  No  one  shared  his  spacious  apartment 
with  him,  and  he  was  literally  alone  in  his  glory. 
But  he  did  not  object  to  his  solitude,  for  he  had 
enough  to  think  of ;  and  though  he  did  not  betray 
it  in  his  expression,  he  M'as  in  a  state  of  excite- 
ment, for  what  young  fellow,  even  if  "fully  de- 
veloped before  he  was  twenty-one,"  could  have 
helped  being  exhilarated  when  he  found  himself 
in  command  of  such  an  exceptionally  fine  and  fast 
ship  as  the  St.  Regis. 

When  he  went  on  deck,  for  he  seemed  to  need 
more  air  than  usual  to  support  the  immense 
amount  of  internal  life  that  was  stirrinof  his  being:, 
he  met  Paul  Vapoor  coming  up  from  the  ward 
room,  where  he  messed  with  seven  other  officers. 

"I  hoj)e  you  are  feeling  very  well,  Captain  Pass- 
ford,"  said  Paul,  as  he  touched  his  cap  to  the  com- 
mander, for  all  familiarities  were  suspended  unless 


310  A   VICTOllIOUS   UNION 

when  they  were  alone ;  and  habit  generally  ban- 
ished them  even  then. 

"  As  well  as  usual,  Mr.  Vapoor,"  replied  Christy. 
"  How  do  you  find  the  engine  ?  " 

"  In  excellent  condition,  Captain.  It  was  thor- 
oughly overhauled  at  the  j^ard,  boilers  and  machin- 
ery, and  I  have  examined  it  down  to  the  minutest 
details." 

"  I  have  an  idea  that  our  speed  will  be  more  in 
demand  than  our  fighting  strength  on  this  cruise," 
added  Christy. 

"  We  are  ready  for  speed  in  the  engine  room. 
The  coal  that  remained  on  board  on  the  arrival  of 
the  ship  at  the  yard  was  very  bad ;  but  it  has  all 
been  taken  out,  and  our  bunkers  are  filled  with  the 
best  that  could  be  had,  the  master-machinist  in- 
formed me  yesterday,"  replied  the  chief  engineer. 
"  I  don't  believe  she  could  overhaul  the  Bellevite, 
for  I  am  of  the  opinion  that  she  is  the  fastest  sea- 
going steamer  in  the  navy." 

"  I  don't  think  we  shall  find  any  blockade-run- 
ner that  can  run  away  from  the  Bellevite  ;  for  she 
has  overhauled  every  one  she  chased  off  Mobile 
Bay,  and  made  a  prize  of  her.  I  am  to  open  my 
orders  off  Henlopen,  and  then  we  shall  know  what 
our  work  is  to  be." 


CAPTAIN   PASSFOllD   ALONE   IN   HIS    GLOP.Y     311 

"  About  eight  hours  from  Sandy  Hook,  as  we 
are  running  now,"  added  PauL 

"  I  am  very  impatient  to  read  my  orders,  and  I 
shall  be  called  at  one  o'clock  for  that  purpose," 
added  Christy,  as  he  began  to  plank  the  deck  on 
the  weather  side. 

The  wind  was  from  the  north-west,  and  quite 
fresh.  The  men  had  had  their  suppers,  and  he 
ordered  Mr.  Baskirk  to  make  sail.  The  St.  Re^is 
was  bark  rigged,  and  could  spread  a  large  surface 
of  canvas.  He  desired  to  test  the  qualities  of  his 
crew ;  and  in  a  short  time  everything  was  drawing. 
Christy  "  turned  in  "  at  nine  o'clock  ;  but  he  was 
excited,  and  he  had  not  sle})t  a  wink  when  he 
was  called  at  the  hour  he  had  indicated. 


312  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 


CHAPTER   XXVIII 

OFF   THE   COAST   OF   NORTH    CAROLINA 

Having  assured  himself  that  the  ship  was  fully 
up  with  Cape  Henlopen,  Christy  retired  to  his 
cabin,  and  still  "  alone  in  his  glory,"  he  broke  the 
seal  of  the  official  envelope.  He  was  to  cruise 
outside  of  the  blockaders,  and  report  to  the  flag- 
officer  when  opportunity  presented.  Just  then  it 
was  believed  that  Richmond,  which  received  all 
its  foreign  supplies  from  Wilmington,  could  not 
long  hold  out  if  it  was  captured;  and  the  Secretary 
of  the  Navy  was  giving  special  attention  to  the 
forts  which  protected  it. 

It  was  evident  to  the  young  commander  that  he 
was  not  to  rust  in  inactivity,  as  had  been  the  case 
of  late  off  Mobile  Bay,  and  a  wide  field  of  opera- 
tions was  open  to  him.  His  instructions  were 
minute,  but  they  did  not  confine  his  ship  to  the 
immediate  vicinity  of  the  mouth  of  the  Cape  Fear 
River.     It  was  evident  that  the  speed  of  the  St. 


OFF    THE    COAST    OF    NORTH    CAROLINA      313 

Regis  had  been  an  important  factor  in  framing  the 
secret  orders. 

If  a  blockade-runner  eluded  or  outsailed  the 
vessels  of  the  fleet  near  the  coast,  the  St.  Regis 
was  expected  to  "pick  her  up."  On  the  other 
hand,  the  fastest  of  the  vessels  were  sent  out 
farther  from  the  shore,  and  the  ship  was  expected 
to  support  them.  Christy  realized  that  he  should 
be  called  upon  to  exercise  his  judgment  in  many 
difficult  situations,  and  he  could  only  hope  that  he 
should  be  equal  to  such  occasions. 

"  Good-morning,  Captain  Passford,"  said  Paul 
Vapoor,  saluting  him  on  the  quarter-deck.  "I 
hope  you  slept  well  in  your  brief  watch  below." 

"  I  did  not  sleep  a  wink,  I  was  so  anxious  to 
read  my  orders.  But  I  know  them  now,  and  I 
feel  as  cool  as  an  arctic  iceberg.  I  shall  sleep 
when  I  turn  in  again." 

"  Well,  where  are  we  going.  Captain,  if  it  is  no 
lonofer  a  secret?"  asked  the  enoi'ineer. 

"It  is  not  a  secret  now;  and  we  are  to  cruise 
off  the  mouth  of  the  Cape  Fear  River,"  replied 
the  commander,  as  he  proceeded  to  give  the  infor- 
mation more  in  detail. 

"  We  are  not  likely  to  have  any  hot  work  then 


814  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

if  we  are  only  to  chase  blockade-runners,"  added 
Paul. 

"  Probably  we  can  render  greater  service  to  our 
country  in  this  manner  than  in  any  other  way,  or 
we  should  not  have  been  sent  to  this  quarter," 
said  Christy,  with  a  long  gape. 

Paul  saw  that  his  friend  was  sleepy,  and  he  bade 
him  good-night.  The  commander  went  to  his 
stateroom,  and  was  soon  fast  asleep,  from  which 
he  did  not  wake  till  eight  o'  clock  in  the  morning. 
When  he  went  on  deck  the  ship  was  carrying  all 
sail.  The  second  lieutenant  had  the  deck,  and  he 
asked  him  what  speed  the  steamer  was  making. 

"The  last  log  showed  seventeen  knots  an  hour," 
replied  Mr.  Makepeace. 

"  I  hope  you  slept  well,  Captain  Passford,"  said 
the  chief  engineer,  saluting  him  at  this  minute. 

"I  slept  like  a  log  till  eight  bells  this  morning," 
replied  Christy. 

"  Mr.  Makepeace  reports  the  last  log  at  seven- 
teen knots,"  continued  Paul.  "  But  the  ship  is 
not  making  revolutions  enough 'per  hour  for  more 
than  fifteen,  for  I  have  got  the  hang  of  her  run- 
ning now.  The  wind  is  blowing  half  a  gale,  and 
the  canvas  is  eivingr  her  two  knots." 


OFF    THE    COAST    OF    NORTH    CAROLINA      315 

No  events  transpired  on  board  worthy  a  special 
chronicle  during  the  day.  The  men  were  drilled 
in  various  exercises,  and  gave  excellent  satisfac- 
tion to  their  officers.  The  next  morning  the  St. 
Regis  was  off  Cape  Hatteras,  and  though  it  is  a 
greater  bugbear  than  it  generally  deserves,  it  gave 
the  ship  a  ta'ste  of  its  quality.  The  wind  had 
hauled  around  to  the  south-west,  and  was  blowing 
a  lively  gale.  The  sails  had  been  furled  in  the 
morning  watch,  and  off  the  cape  the  course  had 
been  changed  to  south-west. 

Just  before  eight  bells  in  the  afternoon  watch, 
when  the  ship  was  making  fifteen  knots  kn  hour, 
the  lookout  man  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle 
called  out  "  Sail,  ho  !  "  and  all  eyes  were  directed 
ahead. 

"  Where  away  ? "  demanded  the  officer  of  the 
deck  sharply. 

"  Close  on  the  lee  bow,  sir !  "  returned  the  look- 
out. 

The  commander  was  in  his  cabin  studying  the 
chart  of  the  coast  of  North  Carolina;  but  the 
report  was  promptly  sent  to  him,  and  he  hastened 
on  deck. 

"  Another  sail  on  the  port  bow,  sir  !  "  shouted  a 


316  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

seaman  who  had  been  sent  to  the  fore  cross  trees 
with  a  spy-glass. 

"What  are  they?"  asked  Christy,  maintaining 
his  dignity  in  spite  of  the  excitement  which  had 
besfun  to  invade  his  beinof. 

"Both  steamers,  sir,"  replied  the  officer  of  the 
deck. 

"  The  head  one  is  a  blockade-runner,  I  know  by 
the  cut  of  her  jib,  sir,"  shouted  the  man  with  the 
glass  on  the  cross  trees. 

All  the  glasses  on  board  were  immediately 
directed  to  the  two  vessels.  Christy  could  plainly 
make  out  the  steamer  that  had  the  lead.  She  was 
a  piratical-looking  craft,  setting  very  low  in  the 
water,  with  two  smoke  stacks,  both  raking  at  the 
same  angle  as  her  two  masts.  The  wind  v/as  not 
fair,  and  she  could  not  carry  sail;  but  the  "bone 
in  her  teeth  "  indicated  that  she  was  going  through 
the  water  at  great  speed. 

"  A  gun  from  the  chaser,  sir ! "  shouted  the 
man  aloft. 

The  cloud  of  smoke  was  seen,  and  the  report  of 
the  gun  reached  the  ears  of  all  on  board  the  St. 
Regis. 

"  There  is  no  mistakinof  what  all  that  means. 


OFF   THE   COAST   OF   NORTH   CAROLINA      317 

Mr.  Baskirk,"  said  Christy  when  he  had  taken  in 
the  situation. 

At  the  first  announcement  of  the  sail  ahead,  the 
commander  had  ordered  the  chief  engineer  to  get 
all  the  speed  he  could  out  of  the  ship.  The  smoke 
was  pouring  out  of  the  smoke  stacks,  for  the  St. 
Regis  had  two,  and  presently  she  indicated  what 
was  going  on  in  the  fire  room  by  begining  to  shake 
a  little. 

"Another  sail  dead  ahead,  sir  !  "  called  the  man 
on  the  fore  cross  trees. 

The  glasses  were  directed  to  the  third  sail,  and 
she  jDroved  to  be  a  steamer,  also  pursuing  the  one 
first  seen.  It  was  soon  evident  to  the  observers 
that  the  blockade-runner,  for  the  man  aloft  who 
had  so  defined  her  was  entirely  correct,  was  gain- 
ing all  the  time  on  her  pursuers.  If  she  had 
nothing  but  her  two  pursuers  to  fear,  her  troubles 
were  really  over. 

Both  of  the  Federal  ships  were  firing  at  the 
chase ;  but  they  might  as  well  have  spared  their 
powder  and  shot,  for  they  could  not  reach  her  into 
at  least  a  quarter  of  a  mile.  The  wind  was  still 
at  the  south-west,  and  already  there  were  signs  of 
fog.     The  rakish  steamer  had  probably  come  from 


818  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

the  Bermudas,  where  she  must  have  obtained  a 
skilful  pilot,  for  without  one  she  would  have  had 
no  chances  at  all ;  and  she  stood  boldly  on  her 
course  as  though  she  had  nothing  to  fear  on  account 
of  the  navigation. 

"What  are  we  going  to  have  for  weather,  Mr. 
Makepeace?"  asked  Christy,  after  a  long  look  to 
windward. 

"  It  looks  a  little  nasty  off  towards  the  shore, 
sir,"  replied  the  second  lieutenant.  "  I  should  say 
it  was  going  to  be  just  what  that  pirate  would  like 
to  have." 

"Why  do  you  call  her  a  pirate?"  asked  the  com- 
mander with  a  smile.    "  Probably  she  is  not  armed." 

"  I  call  her  a  pirate  because  she  looks  like  one  ; 
but  I  think  a  blockade-runner  is  a  hundred  degrees 
better  than  a  pirate ;  and  our  British  friends 
plainly  look  upon  them  as  doing  a  legitimate  busi- 
ness. I  rather  think  that  highflyer  will  run  into 
a  fog  before  she  gets  to  the  shore." 

"  She  has  nothing  to  fear  from  the  two  steam- 
ers that  are  chasing  her,"  added  Christy.  "  We  are 
to  have  a  finger  in  this  pie." 

"  No  doubt  of  that ;  and  I  hope  we  shall  make  a 
hole  through  her  before  she  gets  to  the  coast." 


OFF   THE   COAST   OF   NORTH   CAROLINA      319 

"  She  is  not  more  than  a  mile  and  a  half  from  us 
now,  and  our  midship  gun  is  good  for  more  than 
that ;  but  I  don't  think  it  is  advisable  to  waste  our 
strength  in  firing  at  her  just  yet." 

"That's  just  my  way  of  thinking,"  said  Mr. 
Makepeace,  with  something  like  enthusiasm  in  his 
manner ;  and  he  was  evidently  delighted  to  find 
that  the  commander  knew  what  he  was  about,  as 
he  would  have  phrased  it, 

"  The  rakish  steamer  seems  to  be  headed  to  the 
west  south-west,  and  she  is  exactly  south-east  of 
us.  We  can  see  that  she  is  sailing  very  fast ;  but 
how  fast  has  not  yet  been  demonstrated.  How 
high  should  you  rate  her  speed,  Mr.  Makepeace  ?  " 

"I  should  say.  Captain  Passford,  that  she  was 
making  eighteen  knots  an  hour.  She  is  kicking 
up  a  big  fuss  about  it;  and  I'll  bet  a  long-nine 
cigar  that  she  is  doing  her  level  best." 

"  I  don't  believe  she  is  doing  any  better  than 
that,"  added  Christy.  "Make  the  course  south 
south-west,  Mr.  Baskirk." 

"  South  south-west,  sir,"  replied  the  executive 
officer. 

The  course  of  the  ship  was  changed,  and  Christy 
planked  the   deck  from  the  quarter-deck  to  the 


320  A  viCTonious  union 

forecastle  in  order  to  obtain  the  best  view  he  could 
of  the  relative  positions  of  the  St.  Regis,  the  chase, 
and  the  two  steamers  astern  of  her.  The  blockade- 
runner  showed  no  colors  ;  and  no  flag  could  have 
been  of  any  service  to  her.  She  appeared  still  to 
be  very  confident  that  she  was  in  no  danger,  evi- 
dently relying  wholly  upon  her  great  speed  to 
carry  her  through  to  her  destination. 

The  "  highflyer,"  as  the  second  lieutenant  called 
her  ever}'-  time  he  alluded  to  the  blockade-runner, 
and  the  two  pursuers,  occupied  the  three  angles  of 
a  triangle.  The  latter  were  both  sending  needless 
cannon  balls  in  the  direction  of  the  chase,  but 
not  one  of  them  came  anywhere  near  her. 

On  the  other  hand,  the  highflyer  and  the  St. 
Regis  formed  two  angles  of  another  triangle,  the 
third  of  wliich  was  the  point  w'here  they  would 
come  together,  if  nothing  occurred  to  derange  their 
relative  positions.  By  this  time  Paul  Vapoor  had 
developed  all  the  power  of  the  ship's  boilers,  and 
the  screw  was  making  more  revolutions  a  minute 
than  her  highest  record,  which  was  found  in  a 
book  the  former  chief  engineer  had  left  in  his  state- 
room. 

"  I  don't  think  that  highflyer  quite  understands 


OFF    THE    COAST    OF    NOETH    CAROLINA      321 

the  situation,  Mr.  Baskirk,"  said  the  commander, 
as  he  observed  that  she  did  not  vary  her  course, 
and  stood  on  to  her  destination,  apparently  with 
perfect  confidence. 

"  I  don't  think  she  does,  sir,"  replied  the  first 
lieutenant.  "  She  can  see  the  American  flag  at 
the  peak,  and  she  knows  what  we  are.  Doubtless 
she  is  making-  the  mistake  of  believing  that  all  the 
Federal  ships  are  slow  coaches." 

"  Heave  the  log,  Mr.  Baskirk,"  added  Christy, 
and  he  walked  forward. 

It  was  a  matter  of  angles  when  it  was  desirable 
to  come  down  to  a  close  calculation,  and  the  young 
commander  found  his  trigonometry  very  useful, 
and  fortunately  not  forgotten.  With  an  apparatus 
for  taking  ranges  he  had  procured  the  bearing  of 
the  highflyer  accurately  as  soon  as  the  last  course 
was  given  out,  perhaj)s  half  an  hour  before.  He 
took  the  range  again,  and  found  there  was  a  slight 
difference,  which  was,  however,  enough  to  show 
that  the  form  of  the  triangle  had  been  disturbed. 

Both  ships  were  headed  for  the  same  point,  and 
the  sides  of  the  triangle  were  equal  at  the  first  ob- 
servation. Now  the  St.  Regfis's  side  of  the  fisfure 
was  perceptibly  shorter  than  its  opposite.      This 


322  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

proved  to  the  captain  that  his  ship  had  gained  on 
the  otiier.  The  two  chasers  had  been  losinof  on 
the  chase  for  tlie  last  half-liour,  and  Christy  re- 
garded tliem  as  out  of  the  game. 

There  was  some  appearance  of  fog  in  the  south- 
west, and  no  land  could  be  seen  in  any  direction. 
For  another  hour  the  St.  Regis  drove  ahead  furi- 
ously on  her  course,  and  the  highflyer  was  doing 
the  same.  The  two  steamers,  regardless  of  the 
speed  of  either,  were  necessarily  approaching  each 
other  as  long  as  they  followed  the  two  sides  of  the 
triangle.  They  had  come  within  half  a  mile 
the  one  of  the  other,  when  the  commander  gave  the 
order  to  beat  to  quarters.  Ten  minutes  later 
the  frame  of  the  ship  shook  under  the  discharge  of 
the  big  Parrot.  The  shot  went  over  the  chase  ; 
but  she  promptly  changed  her  course  to  the  south- 
ward. 


THE    FIEST    TEIZB    OF    THE    ST.    REGIS        323 


CHAPTER   XXIX 

THE   FIRST   PRIZE   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS 

The  shot  from  the  Parrot  passed  between  the 
funnel  and  the  mainmast  of  the  chase,  as  judged 
by  the  splash  of  the  ball  in  the  water  just  beyond 
her.  It  liad  come  near  enough  to  the  mark  to 
wake  up  the  captain  of  the^  highflyer.  He  ap- 
peared to  believe  that  the  pursuer  from  the  north- 
ward had  simply  cut  him  off  by  approaching  on 
the  shorter  side  of  the  triangle,  and  that  all  he 
had  to  do  was  to  escape  to  the  southward,  evi- 
dently satisfied  that  no  steamer  in  the  Federal 
navy  could  overhaul  him  in  a  fair  and  square  race. 

"  Now  comes  the  tug  of  war,"  said  Mr.  Baskirk, 
when  the  St.  Regis  had  been  headed  for  tlie  chase. 

"  The  game  will  not  last  all  day,"  added  Clu-isty. 
"  If  I  owned  that  higliflyer,  I  should  not  employ 
her  present  captain  to  sail  her  for  me.  He  is  over- 
loaded with  a  blind  confidence,  and  he  has  made 
a  very  bad  use  of  his  opportunities.  If  I  had  been 
in  command  of  that  steamer  I  should  have  made 


324  A   VICTOEIotrS   UNION 

lier  course  so  as  to  run  away  from  all  three  of  my 
pursuers  as  soon  as  I  made  them  out.  It  is  six 
o'clock  now,  and  I  should  have  got  far  enough  into 
the  darkness  to  give  them  all  the  slip,  and  gone 
into  Wilmington  on  a  new  track." 

"  Her  captain  appears  to  trust  entirely  to  his 
heels,  and  to  look  with  contempt  upon  anything 
like  manoeuvring,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant. 

"  But  we  must  finish  him  up  before  the  darkness 
enables  him  to  give  us  the  slip.  I  have  no  doubt 
we  could  knock  her  all  to  pieces  with  the  midship 
gun  in  the  next  fifteen  minutes ;  but  if  she  can 
make  eighteen  knots  an  hour,  which  we  seem  to 
be  all  agreed  that  she  can  do,  she  will  not  be  a 
useless  addition  to  the  United  States  Navy,  and  it 
would  be  a  pity  to  smash  her  up,  for  she  is  a  good- 
looking  craft.  We  are  gaining  two  knots  an  hour 
on  her,  and  Mr.  Vapoor  is  keeping  things  warm  in 
the  engine  and  fire  rooms." 

"  That  is  taking  an  economical  view  of  the  sub- 
ject," added  Mr.  Baskirk,  laughing  at  the  com- 
mander's utilitarian  views. 

"  If  we  continue  to  fire  into  her,  we  must  swing 
to  every  shot  we  send,  and  that  would  take  so 
much  from  our  speed,"  argued  Christy.     "We  are 


THE    FIRST    nilZE    OF    THE    ST.    IlEGIS        325 

as  sure  of  her  as  though  we  already  had  her  in  our 
clutches.  There  are  plenty  of  officers  in  the  navy 
who  would  like  to  command  her  when  she  is  al- 
tered over  into  a  cruiser." 

"  You  are  quite  right,  Captain  Passford ;  and 
there  are  some  of  them  on  the  deck  of  the  St. 
Regis  at  this  moment,"  said  the  first  lieutenant, 
laughing. 

"  Heave  the  log,  Mr.  Baskirk,"  said  the  captain. 

The  report  from  the  master,  who  attended  to  this 
duty,  was  soon  reported  to  the  executive  officer, 
who  transmitted  it  to  the  commander. 

"  Rising  twenty  knots,  sir,"  said  he. 

"That  will  do,"  replied  Clu-isty.  "That  is 
enough  to  enable  us  to  overhaul  the  chase  within 
half  an  hour." 

Within  fifteen  minutes  it  could  be  seen  that  the 
St.  Regis  was  rapidly  gaining  on  the  Raven,  for 
the  latter  was  near  enough  now  to  enable  the 
pursuers  to  read  the  name  on  her  stern,  and  the 
captain  of  the  highflyer  could  not  help  realizing 
that  he  had  not  the  slightest  chance  to  escape. 
The  chaser  was  within  the  eighth  of  a  mile  of  her, 
and  the  result  was  only  a  matter  of  minutes. 

"  She  has  stopped  her  screw,  sir !  "  reported  the 


326  A    VICTORIOUS   UNION 

third  lieutenant   in   the    waist,  passing  the   word 
from  the  second  lieutenant  on  the  forecastle. 

"  She  has  stopped  her  screw,  Captain,"  repeated 
Mr.  Baskirk. 

"  That  means  mischief,"  replied  Christy,  as  he 
directed  his  gaze  to  the  Raven. 

"  She  is  getting  out  two  boats  on  her  j^ort  side  !  " 
shouted  Mr,  Makepeace  from  the  top-gallant  fore- 
castle ;  and  the  report  was  repeated  till  it  reached 
the  commander,  though  he  had  heard  it  before  it 
was  officially  communicated  to  him.  "  That  means 
more  mischief." 

"  Ready  to  stop  and  back  her !  "  he  cried  through 
the  speaking-tube  to  the  chief  engineer. 

"  All  ready,  sir,"  replied  Paul. 

"  Some  of  these  blockade-runners  are  desperate 
characters,  and  that  captain  intends  either  to  burn 
or  sink  his  ship,"  continued  Christy,  with  a  trifle 
of  excitement  in  his  manner,  though  he  looked  as 
dignified  as  a  college  professor  in  the  presence  of 
his  class. 

The  St.  Regis  was  still  rushing  with  unabated 
speed  towards  her  prey,  and  a  minute  or  two  more 
would  decide  whether  or  not  she  was  to  be  a  prize 
or  a  blazinsf  hulk  on  the  broad  ocean. 


THE    FIRST   PRIZE    OF   THE   ST.    REGIS        327 

"Lay  him  aboard  on  tlie  port  side,  Mr.  Baskirk !  " 

"  The  two  boats  are  there,  Captain,  as  you  can 
see,"  replied  the  executive  officer. 

"Board  on  the  port  side,  Mr.  Baskirk  !  "  repeated 
the  commander  very  decidedly,  and  somewhat 
sharply;  and  at  the  same  time  he  rang  one  bell 
on  the  sronof  to  slow  down  the  enmne.  "  Board  on 
the  port  side,  Mr.  Baskirk  !  "  he  repeated  again. 
"  Mr.  Drake,  have  the  steam  pump  and  long  hose 
ready  to  extinguish  fire !  " 

Whether  the  captain  of  the  Raven  had  ordered 
his  men  to  scuttle  the  steamer,  or  to  fire  her  in 
several  places,  Christy  could  not  know ;  and  he 
did  not  much  care,  for  he  was  ready  to  meet  either 
emergency.  The  St.  Regis  was  bearing  down  on 
her  victim  with  a  reduced  speed.  The  men  for- 
ward and  in  the  waist  were  all  ready  with  the 
grappling  irons  to  fasten  to  her,  and  the  boarders 
were  all  prepared  to  leap  upon  her  deck,  though 
no  fighting  was  expected. 

The  bow  of  the  St.  Regis  was  near  the  stern  of 
the  Raven,  and  Christy  rang  one  bell  to  stop  her, 
and  then  two  to  back  her.  Then  he  sprang  upon 
the  starboard  rail  of  the  ship  where  he  could  ob- 
serve his  men  as  they  boarded  the  other  steamer. 


328  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

"  What  are  you  about,  sir?  "  yelled  a  man  on  the 
quarter-deck  of  the  Raven,  who  appeared  to  be 
the  captain  of  the  vessel,  in  a  rude  voice.  "Don't 
you  see  that  you  are  crushing  my  two  boats  and 
the  men  in  them  ?  " 

"  I  did  not  order  the  boats  or  the  men  there,"  re- 
plied Christy  calml}^,  and  in  a  gentle  tone,  for  the 
captain  of  the  blockade-runner  was  not  ten  feet 
from  him. 

"  I  did,"  added  the  captain  of  the  prize,  for  such 
she  really  was  by  this  time.  '' 

"  Then  you  are  responsible  for  them,"  said  the 
commander  of  the  St.  Regis. 

"  Do  you  mean  to  murder  them?  "gasped  the 
other  captain  furiously. 

"  If  they  are  killed  you  have  sent  them  to  their 
death ! " 

But  the  commander  had  no  time  to  argue  the 
matter  with  the  irate  captain.  He  had  rung  three 
bells,  and  the  ship  was  backing  at  full  speed.  The 
momentum  had  not  been  sufficiently  checked  to 
stop  her,  and  the  two  boats  were  crushed  to  splin- 
ters. The  seamen  who  were  in  them  saw  what 
was  coming,  and  they  seized  the  ropes  which  had 
been  dropped  to  them  by  the  boarders  on  the  rail 


THE   FIKST    PRIZE    OF    THE    ST.    REGIS        329 

at  the  command  of  the  captain,  who  did  not  wish 
them  to  be  sacrificed  to  the  madness  of  their  com- 
mander, and  they  climbed  to  the  chains  of  the 
Federal  ship  with  the  aid  of  the  boarders. 

"  Lay  her  aboard  !  "  shouted  Christy  as  soon  as 
the  headway  of  the  ship  had  been  checked,  and 
the  grappling  irons  had  been  made  fast. 

The  willing  and  active  seamen  poured  from  the 
rails  to  the  deck  of  the  prize,  their  officers  leading 
the  way.  The  main  hatch  had  been  removed  and 
a  light  smoke  was  coming  up  through  the  opening. 
The  hose  from  the  steam  pump  of  the  ship  had 
been  drawn  on  board,  and  the  master  was  in  charge 
of  it.  At  the  command  of  the  officers  the  men 
leaped  below  at  all  the  openings  in  the  deck,  and 
it  was  found  that  she  had  been  fired  in  half  a 
dozen  places. 

In  most  of  them  the  combustibles  had  only  been 
lighted  a  few  moments  before,  and  they  had  not 
become  well-kindled.  Except  at  the  main  hatch, 
the  men  extinguished  the  flames  with  their  hands 
and  feet,  and  a  stream  from  the  hose  put  out  the 
one  amidships.  The  hoseman  shut  off  the  water, 
and  the  ship's  company  of  the  St.  Regis  were  in 
full  possession  of  the  prize. 


330  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

■"  Anything  more  to  be  done,  Captain  Bristler  ?  " 
asked  the  mate,  as  he  apj)roached  tha  commander. 

"  Nothing  more  can  be  done,  Mr.  Victor,"  replied 
the  captain,  who  appeared  to  be  overwhelmed  with 
wrath  at  the  unexpected  termination  of  his  voyage. 
"  It  is  too  late  to  scuttle  her,  and  that  vampire  of  a 
Yankee  has  smashed  both  of  our  boats  into  kin- 
dling wood.  We  did  not  begin  the  end  soon 
enough. 

But  the  beginning  had  evidently  ended  sooner 
than  had  been  expected,  and  the  Raven  was  the 
prize  of  the  St.  Regis.  Christy  still  stood  on  the 
rail,  and  saw  that  all  his  orders  had  been  executed 
to  the  letter.  Mr.  Makepeace  had  sent  the  carpen- 
ter and  his  gang  into  the  hold,  or  as  far  as  they 
could  get,  to  ascertain  if  the  steamer  had  been 
scuttled.  It  could  not  have  been  done  without 
breaking  out  a  portion  of  the  cargo,  and  this  would 
have  been  a  ^vork  of  no  little  time.  Tlie  carpenter 
reported  that  everything  was  all  right  below  the 
deck  of  the  Raven,  and  the  commander  on  the  rail 
was  so  informed. 

"  This  is  a  heathenish  outrage.  Captain,  if  a 
young  cub  like  you  can  be  tlie  commander  of  a 
ship  like  that!"  exclaimed  Captain  Bristler,  foam- 


THE  FIEST  PRIZE   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS        331 

ill  ST  with  raofe  over  the  result  of  the  affair;  and  he 
interlarded  his  speech  with  all  the  oaths  in  the 
vocabulary  of  a  pirate. 

"  Captain  Bristler,  when  you  address  me  as  one 
gentleman  should  another,  I  will  talk  with  3'ou ;  but 
not  till  then,"  replied  Christy  with  dignity. 

"  A  gentleman !  "  gasped  the  other  captain. 
"You  tried  to  murder  half  a  dozen  of  my  men! 
You  are  a  Yankee  pirate  !  That's  what  you  are !  " 

We  cannot  soil  this  page  with  even  a  descrip- 
tion of  tlie  oaths  and  curses  with  which  he  mixed 
his  language.  Christy  was  disgusted  with  him ;  and 
while  he  still  continued  his  impious  ravings,  he 
send  a  midshipman  with  an  order  to  Mr.  Make^ 
peace  who  was  in  charge  of  the  hose  pipe  on  board 
of  the  Raven.  While  Captain  Bristler  was  pouring 
forth  anathemas  that  made  the  blood  of  the  loyal 
officers  run  cold  in  their  veins,  the  man  who  held 
the  hose  pipe  directed  it  to  him,  and  the  water  was 
turned  on. 

The  stream  struck  the  commander  with  force 
enough  to  knock  him  down.  But  the  bath  was  not 
suspended  on  that  account,  and  it  was  continued 
till  it  had  extinguislied  the  fire  of  profanity. 
Christy  made  a  sign,  and  the  steam-pump  ceased 


332  A  VICTOEIOUS   UNION 

to  work.  The  mate  rushed  to  the  assistance  of  the 
captain,  put  him  on  his  feet,  and  was  conducting 
him  towards  the  companion,  seeking  a  retreat  in  his 
cabin  ;  but  he  was  silent,  perhaps  from  his  inability 
to  speak. 

"Stop,  Mr.  Victor!"  called  Christy  to  the  mate. 
"  I  cannot  trust  that  man  to  remain  on  board  of 
the  Raven ;  and  at  the  same  time  he  directed  Mr. 
Baskirk  to  have  him  arrested  and  put  in  irons,  if  he 
was  violent. 

"  But  this  gentleman  is  the  commander  of  the 
steamer,"  interposed  the  mate. 

"  I  don't  care  what  he  is  ;  if  he  were  a  gentleman, 
as  you  call  him,  I  would  treat  him  like  one  ;  but 
he  is  a  brute,  and  I  shall  treat  him  as  such,"  replied 
Christy,  as  two  of  his  men,  attended  by  two  more, 
laid  hands  on  the  dripping  captain.  "You  may 
send  his  clothes  on  board  of  this  ship,  Mr.  Victor. 
Have  him  committed  to  the  brig,  Master-at-Arms." 

There  was  no  appeal  from  the  decision  of  "Com- 
mander Passford,  for  his  authority  was  supreme. 
The  refractory  commander  was  committed  to  the 
brig  of  the  St.  Regis,  and  his  own  steward  was  sent 
to  him  with  his  clothes,  with  order  to  exchange  his 
wet  garments  for  dry  ones. 


THE   FIRST   PRIZE   OF   THE   ST.    REGIS        333 

"  Sail,  ho  !  "  shouted  the  man  on  the  cross  trees, 
who  had  remained  there  during  the  scene  which 
]iad  just  transpired,  while  the  commander  was 
descendincf  from  the  rail. 

Possibly  the  lookout  man  had  been  more  atten- 
tive to  the  proceedings  on  the  deck  of  the  Raven 
than  to  his  duty,  for  the  sail  must  have  been  in 
sight  some  little  time  before  he  reported  it.  The 
two  steamers,  which  had  been  vainly  chasing  the 
prize,  were  now  within  half  a  mile  of  the  St.  Regis. 


334  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 


CHAPTER  XXX 

ANOTHER    SAILING   CONTEST   INAUGURATED 

Although  the  Raven  had  not  yet  been  disposed 
of,  the  ship's  company  were  immediately  interested 
in  the  vessel  which  the  lookout  had  tardily  an- 
nounced ;  and  the  vigor  with  which  he  had  given 
the  hail  to  the  deck  indicated  that  he  was  conscious 
of  the  defect. 

"  Where  away  ?  "  returned  Mr.  Baskirk ;  though 
it  was  a  superfluous  question,  for  all  on  the  deck 
who  cast  their  eyes  to  the  westward  could  see  the 
sail. 

"  On  the  starboard,  sir." 

Commander  Passford  was  already  examining 
the  distant  sail  with  his  glass,  as  were  all  the 
officers  who  were  not  otherwise  occupied.  There 
were  fog  banks  in  that  direction ;  and  the  craft 
might  have  suddenly  loomed  up  out  of  them, 
though  this  did  not  appear  to  have  been  the  case. 
The  sail  was  too  far  off  to  be  made  out  with  any- 
thing like  distinctness.     It  was  a  steamer  headed 


ANOTHER    SAILING   CONTEST    INAUGURATED    335 

to  the  east,  and  the  quantity  of  smoke  that  trailed 
in  the  air  above  indicated  that  she  had  been  liberal 
in  the  use  of  coal  in  her  furnaces. 

As  the  sail  was  diminishing  her  distance  from 
the  St.  Regis,  Christy  turned  his  attention  again 
to  the  prize  alongside  his  ship.  The  two  chasers 
that  had  been  pursuing  the  Raven,  neither  of 
which  appeared  to  be  capable  of  making  more 
than  fourteen  knots  an  hour,  were  now  almost 
within  hailing  distance. 

The  Raven  was  a  steamer  of  nearly  the  size  of 
the  St.  Regis.  She  was  not  armed,  and  had  a  ship's 
company  of  about  thirty  men,  including  officers. 
Her  cargo  was  miscellaneous  in  its  character,  con- 
sisting of  such  merchandise  as  was  most  needed  in 
the  Confederacy,  especially  in  the  army.  A  watch 
had  been  set  below  on  board  of  her  to  extinguish 
fires  if  any  more  appeared ;  but  this  peril  had  been 
effectually  removed.  The  attempt  to  destroy  the 
steamer  and  her  cargo  looked  like  malice  and 
revenge,  and  some  of  the  officers  of  the  ship 
thought  it  ought  to  be  regarded  and  treated  as  an 
act  of  war. 

To  burn,  scuttle,  blow  up,  run  ashore,  or  other- 
wise destroy  a  blockade-runner  after  her  situation 


336  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

has  become  absolutely  hopeless  can  result  only  to 
the  benefit  of  the  enemy,  since  it  deprived  the 
Federals  of  the  property  that  would  otherwise  be 
confiscated  under  international  law.  But  block- 
ade-runners are  regarded  as  neutrals  unless  proved 
to  be  Americans,  in  which  case  they  are  subject  to 
the  penalties  of  treason,  and  the  forfeiture  of  the 
ship  and  cargo  is  the  only  punishment. 

Christy  had  never  been  able  to  regard  this  class 
of  persons  with  much  respect,  for  they  appeared  to 
be  in  league  with  the  enemy.  Captain  Bristler 
had  not  only  attempted  to  break  through  the 
blockade,  which  he  and  many  of  his  countrymen 
regarded  as  a  legitimate  business;  but  he  had 
attempted  to  burn  his  vessel.  He  had  got  out  his 
boats;  and  when  she  was  wrapped  in  flames,  he 
evidently  expected  the  Federal  victor  to  pick  up 
himself  and  his  ship's  company,  and  treat  the  whole 
of  them  as  though  they  had  not  been,  at  least  con- 
structively if  not  really,  in  the  service  of  the 
enemy. 

"  The  cold  water  applied  to  the  commander  of 
the  Raven  has  had  a  good  effect  upon  him,"  said 
the  first  lieutenant,  as  he  touched  his  cap  on  the 
quarter-deck  of  the   St.  Regis.     "  He  sends  word 


ANOTHER    SAILING   CONTEST   INAUGURATED    337 

that  he  regrets  his  conduct,  and  asks  to  be  released 
from  confinement." 

"  He  has  behaved  himself  more  like  a  swine  than 
a  gentleman ;  but  I  have  no  ill-will  towards  him, 
for  I  regarded  him  as  beneath  my  contempt,"  re- 
plied Captain  Passford.  "  I  can  understand  his 
condition,  for  of  course  he  is  suffering  under  a  tre- 
mendous disappointment ;  but  that  does  not  atone 
for  his  brutality." 

"  Certainly  not,  sir.  He  was  running  away  from 
the  two  blockaders  that  were  pursuing  him,  and 
had  beaten  them  both.  He  was  absolutely  sure  of 
his  escape  till  he  encountered  the  fleet  in  shore 
when  the  St.  Regis  came  upon  the  scene,"  added 
Mr.  Baskirk. 

"  Her  captain  had  no  particular  respect  for  our 
steamer  when  he  saw  her,  and  kept  on  his  course 
as  if  in  contempt  of  her,  till  we  dropped  a  shot 
near  him.  If  he  had  headed  to  the  south  when  he 
first  made  out  the  St.  Regis,  he  would  have  im- 
proved his  chances,  but  he  would  only  have  given 
us  a  longer  chase.  Let  Captain  Bristler  out  of  the 
brig,  Mr.  Baskirk ;  we  will  see  if  he  can  behave 
himself  any  better ;  but  I  will  not  allow  any  man 
to  swear  at  me  if  I  can  help  myself." 


338  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

A  little  later  Captain  Bristler  came  on  deck  in 
charge  of  the  ship's  corporal.  He  was  dressed  in 
his  best  clothes,  and  his  personal  appearance  had 
been  greatly  improved. 

"  Captain  Passford,"  said  he,  raising  his  cap  to 
the  commander,  "  under  the  influence  of  my  awful 
disappointment  at  the  failure  of  the  Raven  to  out- 
sail you,  I  was  rude  and  ungentlemanly,  and  some 
of  my  forecastle  habits  came  back  to  me.  I  beg 
your  pardon ;  and  I  shall  show  you  that  I  know 
how  to  be  a  gentleman,  if  I  did  forget  myself  for  a 
time." 

"  That  is  sufficient,  and  I  accept  your  apology. 
Captain  Bristler,"  replied  Christy  with  abundant 
dignity. 

"  I  did  not  believe  there  was  a  ship  in  the  Fed- 
eral navy  that  could  outsail  the  Raven,  for  she  was 
built  more  for  speed  than  for  cargo,"  continued 
the  captain  of  the  prize. 

"The  St.  Regis  is  not  the  only  one  that  can  out- 
sail the  Raven.  I  have  served  in  a  steamer  that 
could  heather  four  knots  an  hour  in  an  emergency," 
added  Christy. 

"  What  steamer  is  that,  Captain  ?  "  asked  Cap- 
tain Bristler. 


ANOTHER    SAILING    CONTEST    INAUGURATED    339 

"  That  is  not  important,  but  it  was  the  one  that 
outsailed  and  captured  the  St.  Regis  when  she  had 
another  name." 

"  Then  your  ship  was  a  blockade-runner  ?  " 

"She  was,  and  also  a  Confederate  man-of-war; 
she  was  the  Trafalgar." 

"Ah!  Then  I  know  her  very  M^ell ;  and  the  com- 
pany owning  the  Raven,  of  which  I  am  a  member, 
offered  nearly  double  what  it  cost  to  build  the 
Raven  for  her,"  replied  Captain  Bristler.  "  I  can 
understand  now  how  I  happened  to  be  so  thor- 
oughly beaten  in  the  last  chase.  She  was  built  for 
a  yacht,  and  no  money  was  spared  upon  her," 

By  this  time  the  two  steamers  that  had  first 
chased  the  Raven  had  stopped  their  screws,  and  a 
boat  was  on  its  way  from  each  of  them.  The  two 
cutters  came  up  to  the  gangway,  and  the  officer  in 
each  ascended  to  the  deck.  Christy  permitted  the 
captain  of  the  Raven  to  take  care  of  himself,  while 
he  waited  for  the  visitors  to  present  themselves. 

"  I  am  very  glad  to  see  you,  Mr.  Amblen  !  "  ex- 
claimed Christy,  as  he  extended  his  hand;  for  he 
recognized  in  the  first  officer  the  gentleman  who 
had  been  his  third  lieutenant  in  the  Bronx. 

"  I  am  delighted  to  see  you  again.  Captain  Pass- 


340  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

ford,"  replied  Lieutenant  Amblen,  for  such  was 
his  present  rank.  "  I  am  now  the  executive  offi- 
cer of  the  Muskegon.  I  have  the  pleasure  of 
presenting  to  you  Mr.  Cartright,  first  lieutenant 
of  the  St.  Croix." 

"  I  am  happy  to  meet  you,  Mr.  Cartright." 

"  I  have  often  heard  of  you,  Captain  Passford, 
and  I  am  glad  to  see  you  in  command  of  so  fine 
and  fast  a  steamer  as  the  St.  Regis,  though  I  never 
heard  of  her  before,"  added  the  executive  officer 
of  the  St.  Croix.  "Of  course  you  are  aware  that 
there  is  a  steamer  in  sight  to  the  westward  of  us." 

"  I  am  aware  of  it ;  and  for  that  reason  we 
should  hasten  our  present  business,"  replied 
Christy,  as  he  glanced  at  the  steamer  in  the  dis- 
tance and  the  trails  of  smoke  astern  of  her.  "I  do 
not  know  who  is  the  ranking  officer  here ;  and  I 
have  not  yet  reported  to  the  admiral,  for  I  took 
part  in  the  chase  from  the  moment  of  my  arrival." 

"  You  are  a  lieutenant"  —  Mr.  Amblen  began. 

"A  lieutenant-commander,  if  you  please,"  inter- 
posed Christy  with  a  smile. 

"Then  you  are  the  ranking  officer,  Captain 
Passford,  for  both  of  the  other  commanders  are 
lieutenants,"  added    the  executive  officer  of   the 


ANOTHER    SAILING    CONTEST    INAUGURATED     341 

Muskegon.  "We  are  ready  to  transmit  your 
orders  to  our  superiors." 

"  My  orders  will  depend  somewhat  upon  tlie 
steamer  astern  of  us;  and  if  you  will  excuse  me  a 
few  moments,  I  shall  soon  be  ready  to  issue  them," 
replied  Christy,  as  he  took  his  spy-glass  from  the 
brackets,  and  directed  it  to  the  approaching 
steamer  from  the  west.  "  What  do  you  make  of 
her,  Mr.  Baskirk  ?  " 

The  executive  officer  had  been  observing  the 
steamer  astern  with  his  glass  ;  and  she  was  not 
more  than  four  miles  distant  by  this  time. 

"  She  is  a  large  vessel,  I  judge,  not  less  than  a 
thousand  tons.  She  has  all  sail  set  and  drawing, 
and  she  seems  to  be  making  very  rapid  progress 
through  the  water,"  replied  the  first  lieutenant. 
"  But  there  are  not  less  than  three  steamers  pur- 
suing her,  though  they  are  a  long  way  astern  of 
her." 

"  I  make  out  the  chasers,  and  I  should  judge 
that  she  is  getting  away  from  them,"  added 
Christy. 

"  The  leading  steamer  is  turning  her  head  to  the 
south  !  "  exclaimed  Mr.  Baskirk,  with  no  little  ex- 
citement in  his  manner. 


342  '  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

"  I  only  wonder  she  has  not  done  so  before," 
added  the  commander,  rejoining  the  ofllcers  of  the 
other  steamers.  "  I  believe  Captain  Wright  of  the 
Muskegon  outranks  Captain  Boyden  of  the  St. 
Croix,"  he  continued. 

"  He  does.  Captain  Passford,"  rei:)lied  Mr. 
Amblen. 

"  If  you  will  excuse  me  a  moment,  I  will  write 
an  order  for  him ;  "  and  Christy  retired  to  his 
cabin  for  this  purpose. 

His  communication  directed  Captain  Wright  to 
take  possession  of  the  Raven,  and  treat  her  pre- 
cisely as  though  she  were  the  prize  of  the  IMuske- 
gon  and  her  consort ;  and  constructively  she  was 
concerned  in  the  capture  of  the  vessel,  especially 
in  the  distribution  of  the  prize-money.  He  added 
to  the  order  the  fact  that  what  appeared  to  be  a 
blockade-runner  astern  of  his  ship  was  outsailing 
her  pursuers,  and  the  St.  Regis  being  a  very  fast 
steamer,  his  duty  did  not  permit  him  to  make  any 
further  delay  in  taking  part  in  the  chase. 

With  this  order  in  the  hands  of  Mr.  Amblen, 
Christy  took  leave  of  the  two  officers  and  they  de- 
parted in  their  boats.  But  he  was  obliged  to 
await  the  arrival  of  u:ie  or  both  of  the  block aders 


ANOTHER    SAILING    CONTEST    INAUGUllATED    343 

before  starting  the  screw,  for  he  was  not  willing  to 
leave  any  number  of  his  crew  in  charge  of  the 
prize.  While  he  was  waiting,  he  wrote  a  letter  to 
the  acting  admiral  of  the  station,  announcing  his 
arrival,  and  copying  into  it  the  material  portion  of 
his  orders  from  the  department. 

The  Muskegon  was  the  first  to  come  alongside 
of  the  Raven,  which  she  did  on  the  starboard  side. 
Captain  Wright,  crossing  the  deck  of  the  Raven, 
presented  himself  to  Captain  Passford  on  the 
quarter-deck  of  the  St.  Regis;  he  was  received 
with  Christy's  accustomed  politeness,  and  the  prize 
was  handed  over  to  him  verbally,  as  it  had  been 
done  before  in  writing. 

Captain  Wright  began  to  compliment  Captain 
Passford,  with  whose  brilliant  reputation  he  was 
already  very  familiar ;  but  Christy  interposed, 
declaring  that  he  was  in  a  great  hurry,  and  could 
hear  no  more,  if  his  orders  were  clearly  under- 
stood. Mr.  Baskirk  had  directed  the  recall  of  all 
the  ship's  company,  with  the  exception  of  a  mas- 
ter's mate,  who  was  to  remain  on  board  to  give 
any  further  information  needed  to  the  officers  of 
the  Muskegon,  and  to  be  a  witness  in  New  York 
at  the  prize  court. 


344  A    VICTORIOUS   UNION 

Captain  Bristler  and  his  effects  were  sent  back 
to  the  Raven,  the  grappling  irons  and  the  fasts 
were  cast  off,  and  the  St.  Regis  backed  out  from 
her  position  on  the  port  side  of  the  prize.  Dur- 
ing all  this  time  Christy  was  very  busy  with  his 
glass.  As  Mr.  Baskirk  had  discovered,  the  lead- 
ingf  steamer  had  three  blockaders  in  chase  of  her. 
She  was  now  headed  to  the  south,  having  done  so 
as  soon  as  she  saw  the  four  vessels  lying  in  her 
course. 

"Make  the  course  south-Avest  by  south,  Mr. 
•  Baskirk,"  said  the  young  commander,  after  he 
had  brought  his  trigonometry  into  use  again. 

Then  it  became  a  very  exciting  question  to 
ascertain  which  was  the  faster  steamer  of  the 
two. 


A   VICTORIOUS    UNION  345 


CHAPTER  XXXI 


A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 


The  fog  was  coming  and  going  in  the  distance, 
and  at  times  the  land  conld  be  just  discerned. 
In  spite  of  the  number  and  vigilance  of  the  block- 
ading fleet,  several  hundred  blockade-runners  had 
succeeded  in  making  their  way  into  Cape  Fear 
River,  though  several  hundred  also  had  been  cap- 
tured, not  to  mention  a  very  considerable  number 
that  had  been  run  ashore  or  burned  when  escape 
became  hoj)eless. 

It  was  the  policy  of  the  Confederacy  to  send 
out  vessels  to  prey  upon  the  commerce  of  the 
United  States.  Some  of  them  began  their  depre- 
dations without  making  a  port  in  the  South,  and 
a  few  of  the  swift  steamers  that  succeeded  in  get- 
ting into  Mobile,  Wilmington,  and  other  safe  places, 
were  fitted  out  for  the  work  of  destruction.  The 
fog  that  prevailed  inshore  was  favorable  to  block- 
ade-runners ;  and   if    there  was    a  vessel    of   this, 


346  A    VICTORlbuS    UNION 

character  in  Cape  Fear  River,  the  early  morning 
had  been  such  as  to  tempt  her  to  try  to  make  her 
way  through  the  blockaders  to  sea. 

"  She  is  not  one  of  the  ordinary  steamers  that 
run  in  and  out  of  the  river,"  said  Mr.  Baskirk, 
while  he  and  the  commander  were  still  watching 
the  progress  of  the  chase,  and  Paul  Vapoor  was 
warming  up  the  engine  as  he  had  done  before. 

"  She  is  larger  than  the  St.  Regis,  but  hardly 
equal  in  size  to  the  Bellevite,"  added  Christy. 
"  She  cannot  draw  more  than  twelve  or  fourteen 
feet  of  water,  or  she  could  not  have  come  out 
through  those  shallow  channels  at  the  mouth  of 
Cape  Fear  River.  She  seems  to  have  the  sjjeed 
to  run  away  from  her  pursuers  ;  but  probably  not 
one  of  them  can  make  fifteen  knots  an  hour." 

The  three  pursuers  of  the  blockade-runner  had 
changed  their  course  when  the  chase  did  so  ;  but 
it  was  already  evident  that  they  had  no  chance  to 
overhaul  her.  They  were  still  three  miles  astern 
of  her,  while  the  St.  Regis,  at  sunset,  was  not  more 
than  three.  Not  a  shot  had  been  fired  by  any  one 
of  the  steamers,  and  it  would  have  been  a  waste  of 
ammunition  to  do  so. 

"  We  are  gaining  on  her,"  said  Christy,  half  an 


A  VICTOEIOUS   UNION  347 

hour  later.  "  That  steamer  is  making  sixteen  knots 
at  least." 

"  If  she  has  found  out  that  we  can  outsail  her, 
very  likely  she  will  count  upon  the  darkness  to 
enable  her  to  give  us  the  slip,"  suggested  Mr. 
Baskirk. 

"  Mr.  Vapoor  has  come  to  his  bearings,  and  in 
another  half  hour  we  shall  be  within  one  mile  of 
her.  But  I  am  afraid  we  shall  not  be  able  to 
settle  this  aifair  finally  to-night,"  replied  Christy. 

The  darkness  gathered  around  the  two  ships, 
and  none  of  the  steamers  in  the  distance  could  any 
longer  be  seen.  The  officers  could  just  make  out 
the  steamer  ahead,  which  still  kept  on  her  course. 
The  midship  gun  was  now  brought  into  use,  and 
a  round  shot  was  sent  on  its  mission  to  her ;  but 
with  little  chance  of  hitting  her  in  the  increasing 
gloom,  for  the  sky  was  obscured  with  clouds,  and 
all  the  signs  indicated  fog  during  the  night,  which 
would  be  exceedingly  favorable  to  the  chase.  A 
flash  was  seen  in  the  distance,  and  then  came  the 
roar  of  a  heavy  gun. 

"  She  is  not  merely  a  blockade-runner ;  for  it  ap- 
pears now  that  she  is  an  armed  vessel,  and  has 
some  heavy  metal  on  board,"  said  Christy. 


348  A  VICTOEIOUS   UNION 

"  But  no  shot  has  come  Avithin  hearing,"  added 
Mr.  Baskirk.  "Perhaps  she  only  wished  to  in- 
form us  that  she  could  bite  as  well  as  bark." 

The  St.  Regis  kept  on  her  course  for  another 
hour.  Christy  was  very  anxious,  for  the  chase 
was  plainly  a  Confederate  man-of-war,  or  a  priva- 
teer ;  and  if  she  escaped  she  might  begin  her  work 
of  destruction  the  very  next  day.  At  two  bells  in 
the  first  watch  she  could  not  be  seen  ;  but  the  com- 
mander kept  on  his  course  another  half-hour,  and 
then  he  ran  into  a  fog. 

The  log  indicated  that  the  ship  was  making  her 
best  speed ;  and  if  the  chase  continued  on  her  for- 
mer course,  she  must  have  been  within  sight  or 
hearing  by  this  time.  Christy  peered  through  the 
gloom  of  the  night  and  the  fog,  and  listened  for 
any  sound.  He  kept  up  a  tremendous  thinking 
all  the  time,  and  acted  as  thougli  he  was  in  doubt. 

"Make  the  course  east,  Mr.  Baskirk,"  said  he, 
calling  the  executive  officer. 

"East,  Captain  Passford?"  interrogated  the  lieu- 
tenant ;  and  if  he  tried  to  conceal  the  astonishment 
he  felt,  his  tones  failed  him. 

"  East,  Mr.  B-askirk,"  repeated  the  commander. 

The  course  was  given  to  the  quartermaster  at  the 


A   VICTORIOUS   UNION  349 

wheel ;  and  the  St.  Regis  came  about  gradually, 
and  stood  off  in  the  direction  indicated.  Christy 
had  a  theory  of  his  own,  in  regard  to  the  probable 
movements  of  the  chase,  and  he  desired  to  be  solely 
responsible  for  the  result:  therefore  he  kept  his 
plan  to  himself. 

"  Call  all  hands,  Mr.  Baskirk,  but  without  any 
noise  at  all,"  continued  the  commander,  while  the 
ship  was  still  driving  ahead  at  the  rate  of  twenty 
knots  an  hour. 

The  ship's  comjjany  silently  took  their  stations, 
and  no  one  on  the  deck  spoke  a  loud  word,  though 
no  order  to  this  effect  had  been  given.  All  the 
wliite  cotton  cloth  that  could  be  found  on  board 
was  brought  to  the  waist,  where  it  was  torn  into 
strips  about  three  inches  wide,  and  two  feet  in 
length.  These  two  pieces  were  distributed  among 
the  ship's  company,  with  the  order  to  tie  them 
around  the  left  arm,  above  the  elbow. 

The  fog  was  deep  and  dense ;  and  the  lookouts, 
who  were  stationed  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle 
and  aloft,  could  not  see  a  ship's  length  ahead. 
Christy  had  gone  forward,  and  made  his  way  out 
on  the  bowsprit,  in  order  to  get  as  far  as  possible 
from  the  noise  of  the  ensfine.     He  listened  there 


350  A   VICTORIOUS   UNION 

for  a  full  half-hour,  and  while  the  ship  had  made 
ten  miles. 

"Starboard  a  little,  Mr.  Baskirk,"  he  called  to 
the  executive  officer,  who  had  followed  him  forward. 

"  Starboard,  sir,"  repeated  the  officer,  as  he  sent 
the  order  aft. 

"  Port !  Port !  "  exclaimed  the  commander  with 
more  energy. 

The  orders  were  passed  rapidly  through  the  line 
of  officers  till  they  reached  the  quartermaster  con- 
ning the  wheel.  The  captain  continued  to  listen 
for  another  quarter  of  an  hour. 

"Steady!"  he  shouted  aloud,  and  left  his  posi- 
tion on  the  bowsprit  to  take  another  on  the  top- 
gallant forecastle.  "  We  are  close  aboard  of  her, 
Mr.  Baskirk !  Have  your  grappling  irons  ready ! 
Lay  her  aboard  as  we  come  alongside  !  " 

By  this  time  all  hands  forward  could  see  the  dark 
hull  of  the  enemy.  The  St.  Regis  was  rapidly  run- 
nino-  alonofside  of  her,  for  the  chase  did  not  seem 
to  be  going  at  her  former  speed  ;  and  no  doubt  her 
commander  was  busy  working  out  some  manoeuvre 
he  had  devised  to  escape  from  his  pursuers.  The 
boarders  threw  their  grappling-irons,  and  fastened 
to  the  side  of  the  enemy. 


A   VICTORIOUS   UNION"  351 

The  drum  was  liearcl  on  board  of  her,  beating  to 
quarters ;  but  it  was  too  hxte,  for  the  boarders  were 
springing  over  her  rail.  Christy  heard  one  bell  on 
the  gong  of  the  other  ship,  and  instant!}'  made  the 
same  signal  on  his  own.  It  was  evidently  a  sur- 
prise to  the  enemy,  but  the  ship's  company  were 
promptly  rallied.  The  enemy  was  overwhelmed  in 
a  few  minutes,  though  not  till  several  had  fallen 
on  both  sides.  The  captain  seemed  to  have  been 
too  busy  with  his  manoeuvre  to  escape  to  attend  to 
present  conditions. 

While  the  commander  of  the  St.  Regis  remained 
on  the  deck,  or  even  on  the  top-gallant  forecastle, 
the  clang  of  his  own  engine  prevented  him  from 
hearing  any  other  sounds  ;  and  the  enemy  appeared 
not  to  have  seen  the  ship  till  she  emerged  from 
the  fog.  The  crew  of  the  prize,  as  she  was  by  this 
time,  were  all  driven  below,  and  the  victory  was 
complete. 

"  Do  you  surrender  ?  "  demanded  Mr.  Baskirk  of 
the  officer  who  appeared  to  be  the  captain. 

"There  appears  to  be  no  alternative,"  replied  the 
commander  very  gloomily ;  and  he  did  not  attempt 
to  explain  how  his  misfortune  had  come  upon  him. 
He  had  counted  upon  the  fog  to  insure  his  salva- 


352  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

tion ;  but  it  appeared  to  have  been  the  primary 
cause  of  liis  capture,  though  he  certainly  had  not 
been  as  vigilant  as  a  conimander  should  be.  Christy 
came  on  board,  and  Mr.  Baskirk  introduced  him. 

"  I  am  glad  to  see  you,  Captain  Passford,"  said 
the  commander  as  a  matter  of  form.  "  I  was  abso- 
lutely sure  that  you  would  chase  me  to  the  west- 
ward, sir ;  and  I  had  not  the  slightest  expectation 
of  encountering  you  on  this  course." 

"  I  took  my  chances  of  finding  you  in  this  dii-ec- 
tion  rather  than  in  the  opposite  one,"  replied 
Christy.  "It  appears  that' I  correctly  interpreted 
your  strategy,  though  I  dared  not  even  mention 
my  plan  to  my  executive  officer." 

"  I  have  fallen  into  my  own  trap,  and  being  cap- 
tured as  I  was,  is  disgraceful  to  me,"  added  Captain 
Winnlock,  as  his  name  proved  to  be ;  and  the 
steamer  was  the  Watauga. 

Christy's  opinion  of  the  capture  did  not  differ  from 
that  of  the  commander  of  the  prize,  but  he  made 
no  remark  upon  it.  The  Watauga  was  loaded 
with  cotton,  which  was  to  be  sent  to  England 
from  Nassau,  while  the  steamer  was  to  go  on  a 
cruise  in  search  of  defenceless  merchantmen  of  the 
United  States. 


A  VICTORIOUS   UNION  353 

"I  have  a  passenger  on  board,  Captain  Passford, 
who  bears  the  same  name  that  you  do,  and  possibly 
he  may  be  one  of  your  relatives,  though  he  is  by 
no  means  a  Federalist,"  said  Captain  Winn- 
lock. 

"Indeed  !  May  I  ask  his  name?"  replied  Christy 
very  much  surprised. 

"  Colonel  Homer  Passford,  sir." 

"  My  uncle  again  !  " 

Mr.  French,  the  master,  had  already  been  ap- 
pointed prize-master;  and  while  Mr.  Baskirk  was 
making  the  arrangements  for  her  departure  for  New 
York,  Christy  accompanied  the  captain  to  the 
cabin.  Colonel  Passford  had  learned  the  fate  of 
the  Watauga ;  and  he  sat  at  a  table,  his  face 
covered  with  both  hands. 

"  I  have  brought  down  to  see  you.  Colonel  Pass- 
ford, your  nephew,"  said  the  commander ;  and  his 
uncle  sprang  to  his  feet,  and  gazed  at  his  brother's 
son  as  though  he  had  been  a  spectre. 

"  Christy!  "  he  exclaimed  ;  but  he  could  say  no 
more,  and  groaned  in  his  anguish. 

"  He  is  a  lieutenant-commander  now,  and  captain 
of  the  steamer  St.  Regis,  formerly  the  Tallahatchie. 
The  Watauga  is  now  unfortunately  the  ]3i"ize  of 


354  A   VICTOEIOUS    UNION 

his  ship,"  added  Captain  Winnlock,  as  he  retired 
from  the  cabin. 

"Captured  again  by  my  nephew,"  groaned  the 
unhappy  colonel.  "I  believe  you  are  the  emissary 
of  the  Evil  One,  sent  to  torment  me." 

"I  am  sent  by  the  opposite  Power,  Uncle  Homer," 
replied  Christy  very  gently.  "  But  I  am  more  aston- 
ished to  see  you  here  than  you  ought  to  be  to  see 
me,  for  I  go  wherever  the  fortunes  of  war  carry 
me." 

"  I  was  still  trying  to  serve  my  country  in  her 
misfortunes.  I  raised  another  cargo  of  cotton 
among  my  friends,  and  it  is  now  on  board  of  this 
vessel.  It  has  fallen  into  your  hands,  where  most 
of  my  cotton  has  gone." 

The  victorious  commander  inquired  for  his  aunt 
and  cousins  in  the  South,  and  informed  him  that 
his  mother  and  sister  were  very  well.  He  added 
that  he  should  be  obliged  to  send  him  to  New 
York  in  the  prize,  and  insured  him  a  brotherly 
welcome  at  Bonnydale.  He  parted  with  his  uncle 
pitying  him  very  much  ;  but  he  had  chosen  for  him- 
self which  side  he  would  take  in  the  great  conflict. 

The  Watauga  had  a  crew  of  sixty  men,  who 
were  to  be  re-enforced  at  Nassau,  and  a  large  prize- 


A   VICTORIOUS   UNION  355 

crew  had  to  be  sent  with  her;  but  French  returned 
with  his  force  in  three  weeks,  and  the  St.  Regis 
was  again  fully  manned.  Christy  received  a  letter 
from  the  flag-officer,  who  commended  him  very 
highly  for  the  service  he  had  rendered ;  and  the 
St.  Regis  was  continued  on  her  present  station 
through  the  remainder  of  the  summer,  and  during 
the  winter  on  the  outer  limit  of  the  blockaders. 

She  made  several  captures,  though  all  of  them 
without  any  fighting,  for  no  more  Confederate 
men-of-war,  actually  or  intended  as  such,  came  out 
of  Wilmington,  or  attempted  to  enter  the  Cape 
Fear ;  but  he  sent  a  large  number  of  blockade- 
runners,  loaded  with  cotton  coming  out,  or  with 
supplies  for  the  Confederate  armies  going  in,  to 
New  York. 

One  day  in  August  a  large  steamer  was  reported 
to  the  commander  of  the  St.  Regis  as  coming  from 
the  South.  Christy  was  all  ready  for  a  battle  if 
she  proved  to  be  a  Confederate  cruiser ;  but  to  his 
great  joy  she  turned  out  to  be  the  Bellevite.  The 
ocean  was  as  smooth  as  glass,  and  she  came  along- 
side the  St.  Regis.  The  young  commander  has- 
tened on  board  of  her,  followed  by  his  chief 
engineer. 


356  A  viCTonious  union 

Captain  Breaker  actually  hugged  him  amid  the 
repeated  cheers  and  applause  of  the  ship's  com- 
pany, and  Paul  Vapoor  was  received  with  hardly 
less  enthusiasm.  Christy  had  to  shake  hands  for 
the  next  half-hour. 

"  But  how  do  3^ou  and  the  Bellevite  happen  to 
be  in  this  latitude,  Captain  Breaker?"  asked  the 
young  commander  Avhen  he  had  an  opportunity  to 
speak. 

"Haven't  you  heard  the  news.  Captain  Pass- 
ford?"  demanded  the  captain  of  the  Bellevite. 

"  What  news  ?  We  don't  get  the  news  so  far 
off  shore,"  replied  Christy. 

"  There  was  no  farther  use  for  my  ship  in  the 
Gulf,  and  I  am  sent  here  to  report  to  the  flag- 
officer.  Admiral  Farragut  turned  his  attention  to 
Mobile  Bay  with  his  fleet;  and  I  gave  him  the  in- 
formation you  procured  for  me.  The  Bellevite 
took  part  in  the  battle,  and  it  was  the  hottest 
action  in  which  I  was  ever  engaged.  My  ship 
was  badly  cut  up  in  her  upper  works,  but  she 
came  out  all  right." 

"  This  is  glorious  news.  Captain  Breaker !  "  ex- 
claimed Christy,  waving  his  hat,  whereupon  the 
tars  in  the  waist  broke  out  in  a  volley  of  cheers. 


Amid  the  cheeks  and  api'lause  of  the  ship's  company."    Page  356. 


A   VICTOUIOUS   UNION  357 

"  Tlie  carpenters  have  been  busy  since  the  action, 
and  the  Bellevite  is  as  good  as  new,"  added  her 
commander,  as  he  proceeded  to  tell  the  story  of 
the  great  battle,  to  which  Christy  and  Paul  lis- 
tened with  breathless  interest.  "•  Fort  Morgan  and 
Fort  Gaines  surrendered,  and  the  bay  is  open  to 
our  ships." 

The  narrative  has  gone  into  history,  and  it  is  not 
necessary  to  repeat  it.  The  Bellevite  reported  to 
the  flag-officer ;  and  as  her  great  speed  fitted  lier  for 
duty  like  that  in  which  the  St.  Regis  was  engaged, 
she  was  employed  as  a  cruiser  till  the  end  of  the 
war,  though  she  and  Christy's  ship  took  part  in 
the  bombardment  and  capture  of  Fort  Fisher  in 
January.  The  end  was  rapidly  approaching.  The 
Bellevite  continued  to  cruise  until  the  end  of  the 
war,  announced  to  the  world  by  the  surrender  of 
General  Lee. 

Among  the  steamers  ordered  up  the  James 
River  were  the  Bellevite  and  the  St.  Regis,  and 
the  sailors  of  both  were  among  those  who  put  out 
the  fire  which  threatened  to  consume  the  city  of 
Richmond.  Christy  saw  the  President  there,  and 
was  presented  to  him,  Avhicli  he  will  remember  as 
longf  as  he  lives.     In  due  time  the  St.  Regis  was 


S58  A    VICTOIMOUS    UJSION 

ordered  to  the  navy  yard  at  New  York.  As  early 
as  possible  he  hastened  to  Bonnydale,  where  all 
the  family  and  Bertha  Pembroke  were  waiting  for 
him.  It  was  a  sort  of  nnited  embrace  which  wel- 
comed him;  and  all  the  day  and  half  the  night 
were  given  to  the  narrative  of  the  young  com- 
mander's adventures.  They  were  all  supremely 
happy. 

Peace  had  come,  and  the  whole  North  was  ring- 
ing with  the  rejoicings  of  the  people.  Thousands 
upon  thousands  had  laid  down  their  lives  in  the 
army  and  the  navy  in  their  devotion  to  their  countr}', 
and  were  laid  in  graves  far  from  home  and  kindred, 
or  committed  to  the  silent  depths  of  the  ocean. 

They  had  won  Peace  and  A  Victorious  Union. 

It  was  far  otherwise  in  the  South,  though  Peace 
spread  her  mantle  over  the  whole  united  nation. 
Her  people  had  fought  valiantly,  and  made  sac- 
rifices which  no  one  beyond  their  borders  can 
understand  or  appreciate.  If  the  devotion  and 
self-sacrifice  of  the  South,  the  bravery  and  deter- 
mination with  which  her  sons  fought,  and  the 
heroism  with  which  they  suffered  and  died,  were 
the  only  considerations,  they  deserved  success. 
But  thirty  years  of   peace  have  made  the  South 


A   VICTORIOUS   UNION  359 

more  prosperous  than  ever  before,  and  her  people 
enjoy  the  benefits  of  the  Victorious  Union. 

Homer  Passford,  like  thousands  of  others  in  the 
South,  was  a  ruined  man  at  the  close  of  the  war. 
lie  had  lost  his  plantation,  and  he  and  his  family 
had  nowhere  to  lay  their  heads.  But  he  was  a 
true  Southerner,  and  he  did  not  regret  or  repent  of 
what  he  had  done  for  what  he  called  his  country. 
His  brother  chartered  a  steamer  to  bring  the  family 
to  Bonnydale,  but  only  for  a  friendly  visit.  The 
reunion  was  a  happy  one ;  and  neither  brother  was 
disposed  to  talk  politics,  and  those  of  the  North 
did  not  indulge  in  a  single  "I  told  you  so ! "  in  the 
presence  of  their  defeated  relatives.  They  were 
the  same  as  they  had  been  before  the  war ;  and  it 
is  needless  to  say  that  Horatio  generously  helped 
out  Homer  financially ;  and  now  he  is  as  wealthy 
and  prosperous  as  ever  before. 

When  it  came  to  disposing  of  the  vessels  that 
were  no  longer  needed  for  the  navy,  Christy 
bought  the  St.  Regis,  for  in  a  moderate  way  com- 
pared with  his  father  he  was  a  rich  man.  On  the 
day  he  was  twenty-one  years  old,  Bertha  Pembroke 
became  his  wife ;  and  Paul  Vapoor  became  the 
husband  of  Florry  Passford  on  the  same  occasion. 


obO  A   VICTORIOUS    UNION 

Over  a  year  had  elapsed  since  the  war,  and  the 
St.  Regis  had  been  entirely  reconstructed  in  her 
interior,  and  furnislied  in  the  most  elegant  manner. 

Her  first  mission  was  a  voyage  to  Mobile  to 
bring  the  family  of  Uncle  Homer  to  the  wedding. 
It  was  the  grandest  occasion  that  had  ever  been 
known  in  the  region  of  Bonnydale.  The  young 
couple  were  to  spend  the  summer  on  their  bridal 
trip  on  board  of  the  elegant  steam-yacht,  visiting 
various  ports  of  Europe. 

In  the  multitude  who  came  to  Bonnydale  to  assist 
at  the  marriage  of  the  young  hero  was  Monsieur 
Gilfleur,  who  was  received  with  distinguished  con- 
sideration by  all  the  family,  including  the  bride 
elect ;  and  it  can  be  safely  asserted  that  he  was 
one  of  the  happiest  of  the  guests  who  rejoiced  in 
the  felicity  of  the  ex-lieutenant-commander,  for  he 
had  resigned  his  commission  at  the  close  of  the 
war.  This  was  not  the  first  time  they  had  met 
since  their  memorable  campaigns  in  Bermuda  and 
Nassau  ;  for  the  detective  had  spent  a  fortnight  at 
Bonnydale  with  his  young  friend,  during  which 
they  had  told  the  stories  of  their  experience  in 
secret  service.     They  are  fast  friends  for  life. 

Captain  Passford,  senior,  presented  to  his  son  an 


A    VICTORIOUS    UNION  361 

elegant  house,  built  and  magnificently  furnished 
while  Christy  and  his  wife  were  voyaging  in 
European  waters.  It  is  on  the  Bonnydale  estate  ; 
and  the  grandfather  of  two  boj-s  and  a  girl  does 
not  have  to  go  far  to  visit  the  family,  for  he  is 
nearly  eighty  years  old.  Christy  is  somewhat 
grizzled  with  iron  gray  hair  and  whiskers ;  but  he 
is  still  the  same  as  when  he  was  a  young  officer, 
and  still  as  devoted  as  ever  to  the  country  he 
helped  to  make  A  Victorious  Union. 


OLIl^ER  OPTIC'S  BOOKS 


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FIRST     SERIES 

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THE    YOUNG    NAVIGATORS 

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"  The  bare  announcement  of  a  new  series  of  books  by  Oliver 
Optic  will  delight  boys  all  over  the  country.  When  they  farthe? 
learn  that  their  favorite  author  proposes  to  'personally  conduct ' 
his  army  of  readers  on  a  grand  tour  of  the  world,  there  will  be  a 
terrible  scrambling  for  excursion  tickets  —  that  is,  the  opening 
volume  of  the  '  Globe  Trotting  Series.'  Of  one  thing  the  boys 
may  be  dead  sure,  it  will  be  no  tame,  humdrum  journey,  for 
Oliver  Optic  does  not  believe  that  fun  and  excitement  are 
injurious  to  boys,  but,  on  the  contrary,  if  of  the  rigiit  kind,  he 
thinks  it  does  them  good.  Louis  Belgrave  is  a  fortunate  lad, 
because,  at  sixteen,  he  was  the  possessor  of  a  cool  million  of 
dollars.  No  one,  not  even  a  young  boy,  can  travel  without  money, 
as  our  author  well  knows,  therefore  he  at  onc«  provided  a  liberal 
supply.  Louis  is  a  fine  young  fellow  with  good  principles  and 
honor,  so  he  can  be  trusted  to  spend  his  million  wisely.  But  he 
does  not  have  entirely  smooth  sailing.  In  the  first  place  he  has 
a  rascally  step-father  whom  he  had  to  subjugate,  a  dear  mother 
to  protect  and  care  for,  and  the  missing  million  to  find  before  he 
could  commence  his  delightful  travels.  They  are  all  accom- 
plished at  last,  and  there  was  plenty  of  excitement  and  brave 
exploits  in  the  doing  of  them,  as  the  boy  readers  will  find.  The 
cover  design  shows  many  things  —  a  globe,  the  Eiffel  tower, 
mountains,  seas,  rivers,  castles  and  other  things  Louis  will  see  on 
his  travels.  —  Current  Review. 


LEE  AND  SHEPARD  Publishers  Boston 


OLIVER    OPTICS  BOOKS. 


THE  BLUE  MD  THE  GRAY 

SERIES 


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TAKEN  BY  THE  ENEMY. 
WITHIN  THE  ENEMY'S  LINES. 
ON  THE  BLOCKADE. 
STAND  BY  THE  UNION. 
FIGHTING  FOR  THE  RIGHT. 

The  opening  of  a  new  series  of  books  from  the  pen  of  Oliver  Optic  is  bound  to 
arouse  the  highest  anticipation  in  tlif  minds  of  boy  and  girl  readers.  There 
never  has  been  a  more  interesting  writer  in  the  field  of  juvenile  literature  than 
Mr.  W.  T.  Adams,  who,  under  his  well-known  pseudonym,  is  known  and  admired 
by  every  boy  and  girl  in  the  country,  and  by  thousands  wlio  have  long  since 
passed  the  boundaries  of  youth,  yet  who  remember  with  pleasure  the  genial,  in- 
teresting pen  that  did  so  much  to  interest,  instruct  and  entertain  their  younger 
years.  The  present  volume  opens  "  The  Blue  and  the  Gray  Series,"  a  title  that  is 
sufficiently  indicative  of  the  nature  and  spirit  of  the  series,  of  which  'he  first 
rolume  is  now  presented,  while  the  name  of  Oliver  Optic  is  sufficient  warrant  of 
the  absorbing  style  of  narrative.  "  Taken  by  the  Enemy,"  the  first  book  of  the 
ieries,  is  as  bright  and  entertaining  as  any  work  tha*.  Mr.  Adams  has  yet  put 
forth,  and  will  be  as  eagerly  perused  as  any  that  has  bo'-ne  his  name.  It  would 
not  be  fair  to  the  prospective  reader  to  deprive  him  of  the  zest  v/liich  comes  from 
the  unexpected,  by  entering  into  a  synopsis  of  the  story.  A  word,  however, 
should  be  said  in  regard  to  the  beauty  and  appropriateness  of  ^he  binding,  which 
makes  it  a  most  attractive  volume.— JSos^on  Budget. 

"  Taken  by  the  Enemy  "  has  just  come  from  the  press,  an  announcement  that 
cannot  but  appeal  to  every  healthy  boy  from  ten  to  fifteen  years  of  age  in  the 
country.  "No  writer  of  the  present  day,"  says  the  Boston  Commonwealth, 
"  whose  ."im  has  been  to  hit  the  boyish  lieart,  has  been  as  successful  as  Oliver 
Optic.  There  is  a  period  in  tlie  life  of  every  youtli,  just  about  the  time  that  he  is 
collecting  postage-stamps,  and  before  his  legs  are  long  enough  for  a  bicyc'e,  when 
he  lias  the  Oliver  Optic  fever.  He  cafclies  it  by  reading  a  few  stray  pages  "ome 
where,  and  then  there  is  nothing  for  it  but  to  let  the  matter  take  its  course  Re- 
lief comes  only  when  the  last  page  of  the  last  book  is  read;  and  then  there  are 
relapses  whenever  a  new  book  appears  until  one  is  safely  on  through  the 
*«ens."  ^  Literary  News. 


RARE  BOOK 
COLLECTION 


THE  LIBRARY  OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF 

NORTH  CAROLINA 

AT 

CHAPEL  HILL 

Wilmer 
26 


